"WHAT OBASANJO AND I DISCUSSED ABOUT CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS" - SHEHU SANI!

The President of the Civil Rights Congress (CRC), Shehu Sani has opened up on the deliberations he had with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some family members of suspected Boko Haram members in Abeokuta. Sani made this known in Kaduna yesterday saying: “My statement is in response to the reports and the enquiries on the Abeokuta meeting with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some family members of the Boko Haram group. This is to confirm that the meeting actually took place and I was part of it. The meeting was solely aimed at exploring the possibility of opening a new channel for dialogue or negotiation with the sect members towards securing the release of the abducted Chibok girls held in captivity for over a month.

“I wish to also confirm that the report of the intervention of Mr Salkida in negotiating the release of the Chibok girls is credible. I personally introduced Salkida to the government and spoke about him in many of my previous interviews. He has tried his best in the past and of recent to help in resolving the insurgency through dialogue, but was on all occasions frustrated by the government. Mr Salkida should not be vilified but should be appreciated. Mr Salkida’s attempt could have actually seen to the release of the abducted girls. The meeting in Abeokuta was aimed at repackaging and salvaging the dialogue option. It was generally agreed that the initiative cannot take off without the consent of the Federal Government. It is significant for Nigerians to note that negotiation is the only safer option to get the girls back home. The consequences of the use of force to rescue the girls is clear while the indecision, ‎whether to swap or to storm, is also not helpful.‎"