As political campaigns for 2019 general elections commence across the country, the need to explain how Leah Sharibu and others who have been in the captivity of Boko Haram for several months and years will be released should form part of political parties` selling points, so says the Catalyst for Global Peace and Justice Initiative.
Hundreds of young Nigerian girls have been abducted, executed or put into slavery and subjected to the most inhumane forms of injustice in the past few years.
“Many young Nigerians particularly, women, school children and care givers have been killed as a result of the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram. Those who want to be our leaders must explain, in their political campaigns, what they will do with the current insecurity problems in the country, particularly in the North East
“While we know that it is campaign season and our politicians as usual, will do nothing apart from campaigning for election or re-election with empty promises, the plights of these young girls especially Leah Sharibu and Alice Ngaddah, who are still in captivity, should not fade into the darkness of forgetfulness.
“We call on the media to always ask questions bordering on insecurity and what has become of Leah Sharibu, Alice Ngaddah and the rest of Chibok school girls still in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists.
“We, as Catalyst for Global Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJ), have made it our responsibility to continually bring the consciousness of the plights of these young girls into light, and our stand is that politicians must give us reasonable answers to what they intend to do or are doing to ensure these girls are released safely to their loved ones.
“As a responsible non-governmnental organization (NGO), we have taken it upon ourselves, through our contacts and networks, to put politicians on their toes and hold them accountable for the lives of these young ones during their campaigns.
“We call on the public spirited individuals, faith-based organizations, Civil Society and the powerful Nigeria Media to join the human right activists including Femi Falana (SAN), Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), Aisha Yesufu and Pastor Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon on Friday, 30th November, 2018 at Realm of Glory Complex, Okota Roundabout, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria as we flag off the our campaign on “Let Leah Sharibu`s, Others` Release Take Prominence in 2019 Electoral Campaigns”.
The event which is in collaboration with the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Women Advocacy and Research Development Centre (WARD C), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and others will hold a symposium highlighting to national consciousness, once again, the plights of these innocent citizens whose only crime is being citizens of Nigeria.