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Abduction Of Chibok Girls Remains Indelible Scar On My Lagacy -Jonathan
…Says Boko Haram once chose Buhari as negotiator
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says the abduction of the Chibok girls remains an indelible scar on his legacy.
He spoke on Friday at the public presentation of ‘SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’, a memoir by former Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
Jonathan praised Irabor’s service, noting that the retired officer was “a soldier who stood for truth and never played politics with security.”
Reflecting on his presidency, Jonathan admitted that the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, would haunt him forever.
“The title of this book is quite interesting. One of the major scars on my government is the Chibok Girls.
“As Bishop Kukah said, no plastic or cosmetic surgeon can remove it. It is a scar I will die with,” he said.
The incident sparked the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and global outrage. Although some girls escaped or were freed, over 80 remain unaccounted for.
Jonathan recalled that Boko Haram began in 2009 when he was Vice President under Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and intensified under his rule.
“I battled Boko Haram for five years as President,” he explained, noting that, “I thought Buhari would wipe them out quickly, but they remain.”
He stressed that the insurgency is “far more complex than many assume” and urged Nigeria to rethink its strategy.
The former President questioned why the crisis has persisted since 2009 despite military campaigns and international assistance.
“We must approach Boko Haram differently. The carrot and stick method may be required to address this insurgency,” Jonathan said.
He pointed to the group’s advanced weaponry, arguing that the firepower showed “external hands are clearly involved in sustaining them.”
“Sometimes they even had more munitions than our soldiers. That does not reflect the actions of hungry villagers,” he said.
Jonathan’s government faced harsh criticism for its response to the Chibok abduction, including delays in public statements and accepting foreign help.
Civil society groups accused his administration of weak coordination and politicising the tragedy. Many families remain dissatisfied with the government’s transparency.
Jonathan, however, defended his silence at the time, saying it was intended to protect sensitive investigations and intelligence operations.
More than a decade later, successive governments have rescued or negotiated the release of 189 girls, yet dozens remain missing.
Survivors face stigma, trauma, and disrupted education, with some returning home with children born in captivity.
The Federal Government insists the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu is still a national priority.
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OsunDecides2026: ‘Protect our votes, respect our mandate,’ Adeleke urges Tinubu, security operatives
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies deployed for the governorship election to protect the integrity of the electoral process as collation of results begins.
Adeleke made the appeal in a post on X on Saturday evening, expressing concern over alleged attempts to disrupt or hijack collation centres across the state.
Addressing Tinubu, the governor said, “It is imperative that you use your good office to issue a clear warning to the heads of security agencies deployed to protect the good people of Osun State and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.”
He said reports of alleged attempts to disrupt collation centres by politicians were “deeply concerning and unacceptable,” given the number of security personnel deployed for the election.
Adeleke urged the President to reiterate his commitment to ensuring that votes cast by Osun residents count and that the final outcome reflects their choice.
“I therefore implore you to reiterate the commitment made to the people of Osun State that their votes will count and that the outcome of this election will reflect their genuine choice,” he said.
The governor specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to adhere to the directive, while urging that the Independent National Electoral Commission receive the necessary support to complete the process.
“The Nigeria Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and other security agencies must strictly adhere to this directive, while INEC must be given every necessary support to conclude the process and deliver a credible and transparent outcome,” Adeleke said.
He added, “The people of Osun State have spoken with one voice, and their voices must be heard. Their votes must be protected, and their mandate must be respected.”
Adeleke also commended voters for turning out for the election and urged security agencies to remain vigilant as results move from polling units to wards and local government collation centres.
“Against all odds, the people of Osun State have turned out in large numbers and are speaking with one voice. The safety and protection of our people is paramount,” he said.
“I commend the security agencies deployed for this election and urge them to remain vigilant as we move into the collation of results; from polling units to wards to local government areas.”
The governor further called on INEC to maintain high standards throughout the collation process.
“I also call on INEC to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout this process,” he said.
Nigerian musician, David Adeleka, also known as Davido has asked President Bola Tinubu to call members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to order.
Davido made the call in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday as sorting and announcement of election results were ongoing.
His call stemmed from the allegation that ‘thugs’ of the Osun State Chapter of the APC stormed GOF junction, Osogbo the state capital to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 election results.
“Mr President, call your people to order. Osun APC thugs have invaded GOF junction, Osogbo to disrupt Ward 4 and 5 results.
“They have seen defeat and they are now trying to destroy ballot papers and boxes. Osogbo people will resist them.
“They want to start attacking everywhere. Osun people, mount your votes,” he tweeted.
The Accord Party has secured victory at the polling unit of former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the ongoing governorship election.
Results published on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Result Viewing Portal, IReV, showed that Accord polled 131 votes at Polling Unit 003, Ife Ward 1, Moore, St. Gabriel Primary School, Ife East Local Government Area.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, came second with 85 votes, while the African Democratic Congress, ADC, received 10 votes. Other political parties recorded only marginal votes.
The result adds to a series of early victories recorded by Accord in the election.
Earlier, the party also won at the polling unit of former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, where it secured 125 votes.
At the same polling unit, APC garnered 85 votes, while ADC polled five votes.
INEC has continued to upload results to the IReV portal as collation progresses across the state.
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