Former President,Olusegun Obasanjo has got the Presidency’s green light to proceed with peace talks with Boko Haram on the release of the abducted 223 girls. But the go ahead is on the condition that there will be no swapping of the girls with detained terrorists.
Chief Obasanjo was scheduled to meet President Goodluck Jonathan last night either in Lagos or Accra. Government believes that swapping the girls for the terrorists will not only violate the spirit and letters of the Terrorism Prevention Act but also hurt its allies – US, UK, France and others- which have joined in the search for the girls.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Saturday said: “The President welcomes any initiative on how to address this insurgency. He has always said that tackling insurgency is a collective effort.
“ I am not aware of any objection to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s initiative; we do not mind anyone assisting the government. As an elder statesman, the government welcomes his intervention.”
