#BringBackOurGirls: Imperative of a New Strategic Approach

#BringBackOurGirls: Imperative of a New Strategic Approach

The Strategy Team is in possession of new grave security alert information than the ones we had previously received, about an imminent attack on the sit-out of our movement. It is obvious that if the sit out is attacked, lives are likely to be lost. Consistent with the approach that countries like the United States take when credible threat to life is received, we have agreed to take appropriate measure to avoid needless loss of lives of our members. Our decision is to preserve the lives of our most exemplary Nigerian citizens who make up our daily sit out group and who have made personal sacrifices over the last 94 days of advocating despite all manner of risks and obstacles.

The Strategy Team is aware that we have had previous discussions of this nature but the general reaction has been that members wanted to continue the sit-out in spite of the risks. As a movement which has embraced the principle of decision by majority, the Strategy Team had, on these past occasions, always respected the views of majority of our members and had continued the sit outs. While we continued to worry about the safety and security of members and took measures to mitigate, we were mindful of the need to keep the movement united in spite of the attendant risks.

The situation today is however very stark as the security situation has substantially deteriorated compared to what we knew in the recent past. We have, therefore, come to the conclusion that we must act decisively in responding to the latest risks. Our sense of responsibility compels us to put two stark options before members and ask each individual member to decide for themselves, which of the two options is more reasonable and prudent under the circumstance. Neither of the two options is pleasant as we have had to make a choice between two risky outcomes.

The first option available to us is to continue to respect the wishes of the majority knowing that this will continue to put the lives of members at risk. Putting the lives of members at risk will however go against the grain of our own cardinal demand to Bring Back Our Girls, Now and Alive. We cannot demand of others what we cannot demand of ourselves. The second option is to suspend the sit-out in order to save lives but risk that some within our ranks will disagree – a situation that could be exploited by those who have opposed our movement and advocacy.

The time has come when we must make the tough decision in the overall interest of the cause of the chibok girls which our movement has singularly pursued – Bring Back Our Girls, Now and Alive. We have therefore as a team, elected to decide for the second option and hope that the risk of disagreement can be mitigated by each member remembering our core values to always place the rescue of our ChibokGirls above every other issue. To that extent, we urge those that may disagree with the momentary suspension of our sit outs to be guided in their reaction remembering that we are all subordinated to the primary cause of our ChibokGirls. Our unity of purpose behind our #ChibokGirls should remain our abiding principle regardless of our position.
In the light of the above therefore, we recommend that all members of our movement should do whatever it takes to avoid loss of lives which could result from an attack and accept that we suspend the sit-out for the moment. Standing united in our resolve, suspending the sit-out shall not in anyway diminish our demand and struggle to #BringBackOurGirls, Now and Alive. To this end, we are making plans for the series of activities we had all agreed to in marking 120 days of the abduction should our girls painfully still be in captivity at that time. Our advocacy in the media (social, print and audio-visual media) as well as our strategic engagements with key stakeholders under our Phase Two Strategic Plan would also continue.

The #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Family is hereby officially notifying the public of the suspension of our daily sit out for the moment. Our group shall during the period of our momentary break from daily sit outs communicate scheduling of rallies and marches as part of our resolute advocacy for our Chibok Girls until they are rescued. Should some people decide to continue with a daily sit-out it would not be under the banner of #BringBackOurGirls AbujaFamily. In which case, all such individuals would take personal responsibility for their decisions and not as members of our movement which is absolved of any consequences.

We are immensely grateful to all our members, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria all over the world and the media for supporting our Chibok Girls and our daily sit outs and wide ranging advocacy for them. We request that you kindly continue to complement our resolute advocacy for the rescue of the 219 ChibokGirls that have been held captive for 109 days today. We all must continue to demand #BringBackOurGirls Now and Alive!
We shall not stop #UntilOurGirlsAreBackAndAlive!
Thank You.

For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls #AbujaFamily

Oby Ezekwesili
Hadiza Bala Usman
Maryam Uwais
Saudatu Mahdi
Bukky Shonibare
Jibrin Ibrahim
Bashir Y. Ibrahim
Florence Ozor
Ireti Kingibe
Rotimi Olawale