Remove All #BringBackJonathan Banners Now—Jonathan Orders

Following criticisms that have trailed the #BringBackJonathan2015 campaign posters and billboards in the city of Abuja, the Presidency has ordered the immediate removal of such materials.

Critics say the campaign slogan is offence and a mockery of the BringBackOurGirls campaign for the release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by members of Islamic sect called Boko Haram on April 15, 2014, who are yet to be rescued by the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, it was said that the banners and signs were put up “without” the “knowledge or approval” of the President.

To this effect, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed that the #Bring Back Jonathan 2015 signs and banners around Abuja which he and many Nigerians find offensive and repugnant be brought down immediately.”

 Jonathan admitted that the signs “are a highly insensitive parody of the #Bring Back Our Girls hash tag.”

“While President Jonathan appreciates the enthusiastic show of support for his administration by a broad range of stakeholders, he condemns the #Bring Back Jonathan 2015 signs which appear to make light of the very serious national and global concern for the abducted Chibok girls,” Abati said in the statement.

He concluded that, “The President assures all Nigerians and the international community that his administration remains fully engaged with efforts to rescue the abducted girls and that he will not knowingly promote any actions that will fly in the face of the seriousness of their plight and the anguish of their families.”