GEJ Playing 'Political Chess' With Chibok Girls — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of manipulating the abduction of Chibok school girls for political gains instead of facilitating their release.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said President Jonathan should release the girls having said he is privy to their location a number of times.

“Mr. President, tongues are wagging that you know where the girls are and that you want them to be released only when it will give you the maximum political advantage.

"We don’t know if this is true or not, but if it is, please release the girls now," Mohammed said.

Alhaji Mohammed the girls' continued captivity, now over six months, should have spurred the President into action.

“It is cruel and unconscionable for anyone to use these girls as pawns on a political chess board."

According to the party, President Jonathan had since the girls' abduction shown disinterest in securing their release, choosing instead " to subject the girls’ parents and others to untold verbal assault and mental torture."

The party argued that the President’s recent interest in the girls' plight is suspicious and evident of political manipulations.

“It is clear that President Jonathan has suddenly shown more interest in their release after his consensus nomination as PDP candidate for next year’s elections.

"Our appeal, therefore, is for the President to allow the immediate release of the girls, rather than wait for when it will give maximum boost to his political fortunes,” it said.

It will be recalled that over 200 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno State, were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in April.