to the Boko Haram terrorists and not the government.
The President also urged the protesters to learn from citizens of
other countries who do not blame their governments for any terrorist
act.
He has however admitted publicly for the
first time that his administration was currently consulting with some
stakeholders with a view to exploring what he called alternative methods
of resolving the present crisis.
Jonathan made the disclosure in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, to a team of #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, led by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwezili.
The protesters, who had planned to take their protest to the
Presidential Villa where they wanted Jonathan to address them were
restricted by security agents to the Federal Secretariat within the
Three Arms Zone, a few metres from the Villa gate.
Those who joined Akinjide in the delegation that represented Jonathan
at the rally included the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; Minister of the Federal Capital
Territory, Bala Mohammed; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku;
Minister of Women Affairs, Zaynab Maina; and Minister of Environment,
Lawrencia Laraba.
Others were the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and
Values, Sarah Jubiril; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben
Abati; and the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, among others.
Jonathan, in the speech, said his administration was working hard, in
conjunction with the international community, to rescue the abducted
girls and end terrorism.
He said it was wrong and unfair to say that there was a slow response to the abduction.
He said, “It is wrong and most unfair to suggest that there was a
slow reaction to this kidnapping. As Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President
meets with the security chiefs almost daily and he is on constant
consultation with regional and global partners on this terrorists’ threat.
“We must be careful not to politicise the campaign against terrorism. When a bomb goes off in Kabul, Afghanistan, the
people of Afghanistan do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Bagdad, Iraq, the people of Iraq do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Islamabad, Pakistan, the people of Pakistan do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the terrorists.”
President
Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged those who have been protesting the
abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, to henceforth
direct their protest
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