On Thursday, October 13, Nigerians received great news that 21 Chibok girls were released by the Boko Haram insurgents.

More than 200 girls were kidnapped from their schools in Chibok, Borno state in April 2014. Some managed to escape, some have been reported dead while others are still in captivity.

The news of the release of 21 of the girls got so many Nigerians praising the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Many have been reacting to the good news.

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to issue any statement on the release of the girls.
Recall that the girls were kidnapped during his administration and all efforts to rescue them from their abductors proved abortive.

Here are seven reasons why Jonathan may have decided to stay silent on the 21 Chibok girls release.

1. Shame

The former president may be ashamed that what he couldn’t achieve during his tenure, his successor has achieved. During his tenure, he couldn’t bring back the girls, despite all the efforts made. President Muhammdu Buhari even used the Chibok girls to campaign, which may be why some people voted for him. Jonathan’s inability to conquer Boko Haram and rescue the abducted girls may be one of the reasons he lost the 2015 presidential election.

2. He may be accepting that he was clueless

During Jonathan’s administration, he was given all sorts of names. Many called him a clueless president who did not know how to combat Boko Haram insurgency and rescue the kidnapped Chibok girls. Till he left office, no headway was made in reuniting the girls with their family.

Congratulating his successor on the release of some of the girls may be interpreted as him accepting that he was clueless on how to rescue the Chibok girls .

3. He may be exposing himself as a weak leader

Many still adore the former president and see him as a hero for conceding defeat after losing the March 28 presidential election. If he speaks about the release of the 21 Chibok girls, some might see it as him accepting that he was a weak leader which was one of the reasons some people voted him out.

4. Maybe he is waiting for his party, the PDP to say something

The opposition is always quick to criticize Buhari’s administration. It’s more than 24 hours since news of the girls rescue surfaced and the party has kept mute. It is yet to release a statement which is quite unusual.

5. Maybe he believes it’s a hoax

When the girls were kidnapped, Jonathan who was president at the time, played down the incident. The former president had doubts. Some of his close associates may have told him that it was a plot by his political enemies who don’t want him to return as president. So, the abduction story was dismissed initially until it started gaining recognition with the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. It was when it sparked global outrage that Jonathan’s administration started to show interest.

Some people believe the release of the 21 Chibok girls is just another lie by the Buhari-led federal government. One of such people is Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state who described the report as, “Propaganda, cheap lies and diversionary tactics”.
Just like Fayose, maybe Jonathan also believes it’s one of the lies of the present administration.

6. He may be accepting that he did not empower the military

When the APC took over from the Peoples Democratic Party, it first accused Jonathan of not buying weapons for the military to fight the insurgents. Later, the party accused him of buying substandard weapons. This sparked controversy as many did not know what to believe, whether he did not buy weapons or he bought, but substandard ones.

Since Buhari took over power, Boko Haram activities have reduced. Nigerian troops have been winning the war which may be one of the reasons why the insurgents decided to let go some of the girls.

If Jonathan commends Buhari’s administration for the girls’ release, some may interpret it as him accepting that he did not provide equipment and supplies for the military to fight the insurgents which was why they could not rescue the girls.

7. Maybe he is out of town and has not heard the good news

Could it be that the former president is out of town and has no network where he is? Maybe he has not heard that 21 of the Chibok girls has been rescued. Just maybe…

If you were Jonathan, how would you react to the 21 Chibok girls rescue?

lalasticlala

DesChyko:
You forgot the most important.

He doesn't interfere with other President's government. He knows his boundaries, unlike some erstwhile 'dog and baboon' talkatives.

Baawaa:
Because he is weak and corrupt