The coalition stated that the Chibok community took the decision to postpone the parley with Jonathan, noting that the invited parents unanimously decided to reach out to Presidency officials to request for a rescheduling of the meeting.
The BBOG, in a statement jointly signed by a former Minister of Education and coordinator of the group, Oby Ezekwesili, and Hadiza Usman, in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the movement was merely informed about the decision of the parents and was not in attendance when the invitation to the Presidential meeting was extended to the Chibok parents.
It said, "During the public speech by Ms. Malala Yousafzai, she declared that she had received a promise by President Jonathan to meet with the 11 parents and five girls. The movement was not aware and neither was it part of the discussion of the said visit to our President.
"However, at the BBOG daily sit-out, our movement was informed by the Chairman, Abuja Chibok community of the outcome of a meeting held with officials of the Presidency in Malala's suite (immediately after her speech)."
The group said although some of its members were surprised at the sudden invitation to meet with the President, its leadership concluded its session stressing that it was the absolute right of the Chibok community to decide on the matter.
The BBOG added, "It is instructive to note that majority of those at the Unity Fountain on that day were visiting from the Chibok community and were mostly the ones, who vehemently expressed dismay at the information from the Chibok community Chairman.
"He then clarified on the manner the invitation was conveyed to him and the parents at that meeting. He reassured his community that he would schedule an emergency meeting to discuss the matter further."
The group further stated that on Tuesday, its leadership was invited to a meeting by the hairman, Chibok Community, Tsambido Abana, where they met with the 11 parents in attendance.
"At the meeting, they conveyed to us their unanimous decision to request for a rescheduling of the Malala-facilitated meeting with the President.
"They further informed us of their intention to reach out to the Malala team and officials of the Presidency to request for an expanded meeting within a sufficient time frame for necessary planning with the rest of their community in Chibok," the coalition narrated.
The movement expressed surprise at what it called "the escalation of the pattern of the campaign of calumny by the government officials on our citizens' movement, advocating for the rescue of the abducted 219 schoolgirls from Chibok Secondary School, 93 days ago."
"The latest in this trend is emanating from the visit facilitated for the 11 parents and five escaped girls, who were visiting in Abuja to interact with girl-child education advocate, Malala Yousafzai," the coalition stated.
It thanked the Pakistani girl-child education campaigner for amplifying the advocacy for concerted efforts towards the rescue of the girls.
PUNCH
Thanks
