Dr. Reuben Abati
Following the abduction of the over 200 Chibok School girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno state on April 14, President Jonathan has been under criticism for his inability to rescue the girls.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, however, defended President Jonathan as he said its unfair that critics are blaming President Jonathan as being the cause of the abduction of the Chibok girls.
Abati argued that those criticising the President were ignorant of what the Federal Government was doing to rescue the girls.
Abati made his position known in an opinion titled: “Nigeria’s offensive against Boko Haram Charges of a ‘do-nothing’ strategy are misconceived” published by Washington Times.
Abati however admitted that the concern that had been expressed over the abduction of the girls was legitimate and understandable.
“What is not fair, and which stands out in many of the criticisms directed at the Nigerian government, is the attempt to ignore the issues and argue that President Goodluck Jonathan is the problem.
“This attempt to turn the matter of the abducted girls into a referendum on the Jonathan administration has resulted in a complete misreading of the situation and much deliberate mischief fuelled by ignorance and sponsored propaganda,” he wrote.
The presidential spokesman said the most popular misconception was
the notion that the Jonathan administration had consciously adopted a
“do-nothing” strategy, and that the government only responded and
considered international partnership necessary after pressure was
mounted on it to do something.
Abati, however, said that the Boko Haram threat dated back to 2002 and had become a bigger menace, and a full-scale terrorist movement by the time Jonathan assumed office in 2010.
He added that a Presidential Dialogue Committee was set up to pursue the option of a peaceful resolution of the Boko Haram insurgency while adding that the President also launched a Presidential Initiative for the North-East, an economic-recovery programme.
He therefore argued that the April 14 abduction of the Chibok girls and subsequent developments marked a turning point in the Boko Haram saga, describing it as a terrible resurgence of an ongoing challenge, not the beginning.
He said: “The assault on schools by terrorists and the threat to turn innocent young girls into sex slaves and prisoners of terrorism is unacceptable. The outrage is understandable. But we must not become so blinded by its horror as to reduce it all to the fault of one man. This is not about the strength or failings of one man.
“Terrorism is an assault on human rights and our civilisation. It requires international cooperation and concerted domestic action.
“President Jonathan is fully committed to ensuring that the girls are rescued alive. Yes, it has been more than 80 days since the nightmare began. Americans, Canadians, the British and other friends of Nigeria are all involved in the search, in one form or the other, but unfortunately, with all the technology and intelligence at their disposal, the girls are yet to be found.”
It was reported on June 27 that President Goodluck Jonathan finally spoke out about the abduction of The over 200 school girls via an article on Washington post where he said: "I have had to remain quiet about the continuing efforts by Nigeria’s military, police and investigators … to avoid compromising the details of our investigation."
Culled from Naij.com
Abati, however, said that the Boko Haram threat dated back to 2002 and had become a bigger menace, and a full-scale terrorist movement by the time Jonathan assumed office in 2010.
He added that a Presidential Dialogue Committee was set up to pursue the option of a peaceful resolution of the Boko Haram insurgency while adding that the President also launched a Presidential Initiative for the North-East, an economic-recovery programme.
He therefore argued that the April 14 abduction of the Chibok girls and subsequent developments marked a turning point in the Boko Haram saga, describing it as a terrible resurgence of an ongoing challenge, not the beginning.
He said: “The assault on schools by terrorists and the threat to turn innocent young girls into sex slaves and prisoners of terrorism is unacceptable. The outrage is understandable. But we must not become so blinded by its horror as to reduce it all to the fault of one man. This is not about the strength or failings of one man.
“Terrorism is an assault on human rights and our civilisation. It requires international cooperation and concerted domestic action.
“President Jonathan is fully committed to ensuring that the girls are rescued alive. Yes, it has been more than 80 days since the nightmare began. Americans, Canadians, the British and other friends of Nigeria are all involved in the search, in one form or the other, but unfortunately, with all the technology and intelligence at their disposal, the girls are yet to be found.”
It was reported on June 27 that President Goodluck Jonathan finally spoke out about the abduction of The over 200 school girls via an article on Washington post where he said: "I have had to remain quiet about the continuing efforts by Nigeria’s military, police and investigators … to avoid compromising the details of our investigation."
Culled from Naij.com
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