SAHARA REPORTERS MISQUOTED ME – KEMA CHIKWE

The former minister of Aviation and current PDP National Women Leader, Amb. Kema Chikwe has accused Sahara Reporters of using a mysterious political interpret-ion of her speech at the PDP Women prayer session for the release of the 234 abducted school girls.

Sahara Reporters reported the story with the misleading title ‘PDP Chieftain Expresses Doubt Chibok School Girls Were Kidnapped, Asks “Who Saw It Happen?”’ causing online backlash at Amb. Chikwe.

“My rhetoric questions were questions of concerns, which any distressed mother should ask in seeking for solutions and clues. Furthermore, I raised the issue of pictures in response to newspaper publications of their whereabouts. Someone, somewhere could provide useful information, as would be the case of lost persons.”

“It is unfortunate that Sahara Reporters chose a mysterious political interpretation, and even asking if it was my party, PDP’s position betrays their purpose. It is also unfortunate that the mothers and families of the girls will be stirred to believe this false and wicked information.”

Read the full statement below.

PRESS STATEMENT

THE TRUTH ABOUT PDP WOMEN’S PRAYER SESSION

My speech at the occasion of PDP Women’s Prayer on Wednesday, April
30th, 2014 for the release of the Chibok kidnapped school girls and
the Nyanya bomb blast victims was straight-forward and the
interpretation of Sahara Reporters does not in anyway reflect my
intentions.

The prayer event was specifically organized to pray for the release of
the girls. If I doubted their abduction, why would I pray for their
release? I listed prayer points and I said, “The last straw that broke
the camel’s back was the kidnap of the Chibok school girls. I am also
listing my remarks in reference to the kidnap of the schoolgirls as
follows:

“Those behind these crimes love darkness rather than light because
their deeds are evil.”
“We as women of Nigeria, as mothers will intensify our prayers for the
end of Boko Haram, end of kidnapping and release of the Chibok girls”
“Our hearts are bleeding, not just broken. Please God send the Chibok
girls home to their mothers and families.”

My rhetoric questions were questions of concerns, which any distressed
mother should ask in seeking for solutions and clues. Furthermore, I
raised the issue of pictures in response to newspaper publications of
their whereabouts. Someone, somewhere could provide useful
information, as would be the case of lost persons.

It is unfortunate that Sahara Reporters chose a mysterious political
interpretation, and even asking if it was my party, PDP’s position
betrays their purpose. It is also unfortunate that the mothers and
families of the girls will be stirred to believe this false and wicked
information.

I am deeply in sympathy with them because I was totally
misinterpreted. I also believe that when the Borno State Governor
reads my speech critically it will be obvious that I am in no way in
doubt of the kidnapped schoolgirls. The calculated political
mis-representation of my speech should be disregarded. My prayer point
remains that God in his infinite mercy will secure the release of
these girls.

Sahara Reporters has the weapon to unleash on anyone they choose but I
pray that someday they will choose to do less harm to those who have
done no wrong to them or anyone for that matter. Prayer after prayer
for three hours PDP Women’s prayer session was focused on the release
of these schoolgirls. Tears were flowing as we prayed.

God in His infinite mercy who knows the truth and minds of men will
give those who have the power to dish out false information and
political intimidation a kind disposition and discerning mind.

As a mother and grandmother, I saw this kidnap of schoolgirls and
their delayed release as heartbreaking, extremely serious and a major
calamity. Let us keep praying that these innocent young girls return
home to their mothers safely and soon.

Signed:

Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe
National Woman Leader, PDP