Chibok Girls: Northern Elders Issue Ultimatum To Jonathan

Northern Elders Forum has given President Goodluck Jonathan till October to bring back the missing Chibok girls and end Boko Haram or forget his 2015 second term ambition.

The ultimatum was given yesterday, August 11, in Kaduna through two of the members, Solomon Dalung, a lawyer and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

The elders said: "In the light of our firm conviction that the insurgency and related security challenges pose threats to the 2015 elections and the survival of our nation, we strongly advise President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to bring an end to the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October, 2014," while adding that if he fails to this, he has forfeited his right to ask for the people's mandate come 2015."

According to The Nation report, the elders are of the opinion that the military can defeat the insurgents if the government is really ready to subdue the sect.

The NEF is convinced that most of the crisis rocking the nation was being planned to weaken the North politically and economically, and then exploit such weaknesses for electoral benefit.

The NFF said: "The security situation in our nation today represents the most serious threat to our individual and collective lives in our entire history. The reality is that the threats posed by what appears to be an insurgency that has many manifestations and defies a clear and consistent identity is growing due to the absence of a clear national consensus over its nature, and it solutions.

“The lack of a strong will at the level of the Presidency to fight it, as well as deep-seated corruption and incompetence in governments and in the management of our security challenges, has allowed a band of terrorists to take and hold vast parts of our land and populations hostage while every citizen lives in fear that they will be its next victim."

The Northern elders therefore called on all leaders and political parties to demonstrate highest levels of commitment to the rule of law and the demands of the electoral process, saying the 2015 elections must be free and fair.

For close to four months now, more than 200 girls were abducted by the dreaded Boko Haram sect and they have been in captivity ever since. Some of the parents have died from the trauma. The government said they know where the girls are being held but are being careful so as not to cause harm to the girls in the process of rescueing them.

Source: Legit.ng