President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian lawmakers have promised to intensify their efforts to ensure the safe return of the Chibok Girls, US Congress woman, Federica Wilson, has said.
Wilson, who represents the State of Florida in the Congress, made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing members of the Bring Back Our Girls group.
She said it was part of the responsibilities of Nigerian lawmakers to advocate for the release of the Chibok girls.
She urged lawmakers, especially those from the North East, to challenge the Federal Government and state governors on efforts being made to rescue the girls.
The congress woman also urged Nigerians to stand up for their rights by asking their elected representatives relevant questions that would encourage them to identify with and act fast in the struggle for the return of the girls.
Wilson added that it was also the duty of elected officials to cater for those who elected them in office.
She said: “We need to say to them: this is a new day in Nigeria.
“You have a new president, you have a new House of Representatives and a new Senate.
“Believe me you have the power to put pressure on the people you elected to deliver to the people of Nigeria, to stamp out Boko Haram and find the Chibok girls.”
Wilson said the election of President Muhammadu Buhari and new political office holders marked the beginning of a new era for Nigeria.
“You have a new President who says corruption must stop, who promised to improve the Army and say that by December the missing girls will be found,” she said.
In her remark, Aisha Yesufu, Coordinator of the BBOG, said the reason the Boko Haram terrorist group was succeeding was because of lack of unity among the citizens.
Yesufu said: “Nigerians are not strongly united enough, but, however, our cry has reached the ears of the world and it is time for us to continue to fight for the return of our girls alive.”
Yesufu however stated that the Buhari administration had been responsive to an extent.
She said: “The body language of the new president has shown that the girls will be back to us very soon and we put our hope on that.
“We are planning to have a week of global action on August 27 when it will mark 500 days that our girls have been kidnapped.”
NAN.