The duty of any responsible government is to meet the needs of its people. Such needs include adequate security of lives and properties, affordable healthcare, and provision of social amenities. It is also the right of the people – regardless of their political or religious inclination – to ask questions whenever they think the government is failing in their responsibilities. Following the abduction of the Chibok school girls over six months ago and the shoddy way the Nigerian government handled the situation, a lot of questions have been raised by concerned citizens, especially the #BringBackOurGirls movement that has been at the forefront of the demand for a greater action from the government to ensure their release.

I was taken aback when I saw TV adverts in the past few days trying to affiliate the #BringBackOurGirls movement to the All Progressive Congress (APC). It will be recalled that this move was preceded by a series of tweets from the spokesperson for the President, Reuben Abati dismissing the #BringBackOurGirls movement as an extension of APC, and accusing them of politicizing the abduction. It is unacceptable that this government would give political coloration to a movement that has been noble and peaceful in its demand.

Even if the members of the movement belong to the APC, does that deprive them of their right to demand for action from their government? Does that make their demand illegitimate? Does being in the opposition make one less Nigerian? World over, criticism from the opposition drives any responsible government to perform better and meet the yearnings of its people. They keep the government of the day on their toes and make them responsive to the people. But this movement has not been captious in their dealings. They have been consistent in their singular demand: #BringBackOurGirls. Are they demanding too much?

It is unfortunate that this government has descended so low to the level of sponsoring TV adverts in its bid to garner public sympathy for failing to perform its constitutional duties. These girls have been in captivity for over SIX months and all the government has been doing the whole while is finding excuses, and blaming everyone else but itself for its failures. This government has demonstrated time and again that it lacks a definite plan on how to rescue the girls and has often resorted to propaganda to hide its ineptitude.

While we pray for the safe return of the Chibok girls, it is pertinent that this government doesn’t insult our intelligence any further by keeping quiet when it’s got nothing reasonable to say. Our demand is simple: #BringBackOurGirls #Alive #Now. Is that too much to ask from our government?