The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at securing the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped over two years ago.
The National chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, gave the commendation while speaking in a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja.
It would be recalled that Boko Haram insurgents had seized 276 girls at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on the night of April 14, 2014.
According to Odigie-Oyegun, the release of the girls is an indication that the President and the party will keep to all its promises to Nigeria people.
“It is a major achievement for the government and the party. I congratulate the President for keeping to his promise of rescuing the Chibok girls.
“We believe that in the next few months that more achievements will be made in this direction.
“This is an indication that the APC government and President Buhari will make do its promises to Nigerians,’’ he said.
Also in a statement, a group under the aegis of Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) described the girls’ release as an affirmation of Buhari’s pragmatism.
In the statement signed by its Chairman, Malam Muhammad Labo and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, it said,“the release of 21 Chibok girls is not just cheering news but a clear evidence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s pragmatic approach to resolving national challenges.
“The BMSG commends the administration of Buhari for the release of the 21 Chibok girls.
“While congratulating the parents of the released girls, in particular, and Nigerians, on the cheery news of the release of the girls, the BMSG observes that the President should be appreciated.
“He should be appreciated for subjecting the dictates of sovereignty that limit negotiation of any sorts with terrorists, officially, to the empathy of parenthood and the soft emotions of a father.
“The President has, by this singular act, excited the Nigerian masses by sacrificing the universal doctrine of no negotiation with terrorists for empathy.
“ We specially thank the president for this even as we acknowledge the efforts of other mediators in the negotiated release of the Chibok girls.
“This has further enhanced our confidence in the president as a man who matches his word with action.
“Under 16 months in government, Buhari has degraded the once dreaded Boko Haram terrorists off Nigerian territory and reduced the once seeming protracted rebellion into a whimper.’’
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also showed his happiness with the release of the girls.
Atiku’s reaction came via his Twitter handle @atiku.
He said: “I am incredibly happy at this news. A lesson, hope always wins. Prayers for the release of the remaining #ChibokGirls”
In his reaction, former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said: “The news of the release of the 21 Chibok girls came to me as a delightful relief. I congratulate the families of these young ladies who have endured so much anxiety and pain on account of this horrendous experience. I am also grateful that these budding young stars now have the opportunity to again pursue their dreams and aspirations. I know there is road to recovery and readjustment ahead, but I am confident that the support of their families, our communities,and the assistance of our many collaborators at home, and internationally provide the tools required for this.
“I also congratulate and thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his steadfastness and dogged effort in ensuring the release of these girls. I salute our gallant men and women in uniform who continue to make sacrifices on our behalf and have remained focused in the hot pursuit of the terrorists.
I commend all Federal Government agencies – the DSS, the NIA- and indeed our lawmakers and our other partners who remained dogged and worked assiduously to secure this release.
“It is a great day for our nation and humanity when as shown there, we demonstrate that every life is vital and must be fought for, no matter what it takes. I know that the joy of this outcome will inspire and encourage the government and all concerned to do everything within human possibility to secure the release of our other daughters who are still in captivity.
“This President, I am assured, will not rest on his oars until all the girls in captivity are freed and returned to their families. Security and ending the the Boko Haram insurgency remains atop the agenda of the APC-led government and I am happy that the evidence is there to see that progress is being made on this front”.
