APC demands consistency on Boko Haram "negotiations"

Lagos - The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the federal government to desist from allegedly issuing conflicting statements concerning the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the schools girls abducted by Boko Haram. In a statement by the its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC argued the alleged conflicting statements credited to top government officials over the conditions given by Boko Haram for releasing the girls were “totally unwarranted” and could send the wrong signal to the insurgents and hinder the efforts to ensure the safe return of the girls. The opposition party said while Interior Minister, Abba Moro, and Senate President, David Mark, said the government would not negotiate the release of the girls, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, and Special Duties Minister Taminu Turaki hinted that the FG will “do whatever it takes to free the girls, meaning that all options are on the table.” To compound matters, APC alleged, President Goodluck Jonathan was widely quoted in the local newspapers Thursday as saying the government would not release the incarcerated Boko Haram members in exchange for the girls. “'This kind of utter confusion is a window deep into the inner workings of the federal government as far as this critical issue of finding and freeing the girls is concerned, and it is unfortunate,” stated APC. “This is the kind of befuddlement that has characterized the FG's response to the Boko Haram crisis and led to a sorry pass where a nation widely acclaimed for its global peacekeeping role is now at the receiving end of global efforts to save it from itself.” There has been international outcry following the kidnap of the schoolgirls at a government school in Chibok, Borno State.