Is Sani Yerima mocking the #BringBackOurGirls movement or is he now an emergency activist because of 2015 election?
As the news spread via cyberspace that Uncle Jona will be visiting Chibok Community on 16th of May 2014 where over 200 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram since the 14th day of April 2014, the first picture the news painted in my heart was the statement after 9/11 of George W. Bush on Sept. 14 during his inspection of the wreckage of the World Trade Centre. Using a bullhorn to address the American rescue workers, the audience shouted that they could not hear him, but Bush replied, “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!”
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
With this powerful statement in mind, I was excited that Uncle Jona will surprise the cynics so that the likes of Senator McCain will know that everybody must not be an orator like Obama to take action. I proceeded to Sambisa forest with my camera to wait for Uncle Jona, at least to prove to the world that we can tell our stories better rather than depending on Isha Sesay of CNN. Behold, my courage was oozed away when I got a wind of information that the Commander of Sambisa forest, General Shekau, has closed down the Chibok boundary and Uncle Jona has escaped to Paris to re-strategize.
Attempt to reach out to presidential MAD boys (M)aku, (A)bati, (D)oyin, (Apologies to Sani Shehu) proved abortive. I quickly took to my heels and on my entrance to Chibok, I saw a strong bearded man named Sani Yerima lifting a white placard with double inscription. Facing the crowd was a hashtag that reads #BringBackOurGirls. Behind the placard was another hashtag that reads #BringBackTheGirlsForMe which I saw personally because I was coming from behind. Because “na only me waka come” I proceeded to see the group of people discussing in clusters about the man with the placard. I asked the first group, who is this man Yerima? They chorused in unison:
“He is Yerima Sani, the first man that suspended development and sharialised democracy in Nigeria.”
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });
The second group interjected, “he is a senator who has phobia for matured adult girls but highly addicted to minors and sometimes, feeding bottle baby girls.”
The final group proclaimed, “He is an in-law to dethroned emperor Mubarak of Egypt after he emptied the treasury of his state to pay for the bride price of one kindergarten girl from Egypt."
With all this answers from his people, I approached him questioned him, “Why the double face hashtag Sir? He angrily responded, “What is written is written.”
At this juncture, in soliloquizing mood, I asked, if General Shekau frees these girls, how safe are they in the hands of Yerima? Another spirit answered, this is the result you get when you abandoned #ChildNotBride campaign inconclusive.
As the campaign to #BringBackOurGirls continue, I decided to pause and seek wise counsel from compatriots. With the mindset that an eight year-old girl is matured for marriage, is Yerima protesting because General Shakau outsmarted him and kidnapped the girls or is he protesting to buy-back some in the name of marriage?
Is he mocking the movement or is he now an emergency activist because of 2015 election?
As we continue to identify with #Chibokgirls and their family members, it is pertinent to note that our commitment is to ensure that these girls enjoy total freedom and liberty and fullfil their common dream of being civilized. Any attempt overtly or covertly to kidnap them democratically in the name of marriage will be resisted.
Though Yerima is trying to exploit our failure to multi-task in this war against impunity, his admirers and well-wishers should tell him that we have decoded his mission and re-visitation of #ChildNotBride is not out of options. But for now let us continue to demand #BringBackOurGirls!
([email protected])
Tweeter (@comradop)
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });