Nigeria’s military thinks Ezekwesili is running a hate campaign

The Nigerian military has reportedly accused former Minister of Education and BringBackOurGirls campaigner, Oby Ezekwesili of running a hate campaign.

This sentiment was conveyed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Chris Olukolade via a letter written to Dr Ezekwesili, according to The Nation.

The former Minister has been at the forefront of the campaign calling for the rescue of over 200 schoolgirls who were taken from Chibok in Borno State on April 14, 2014, more than a year ago.

The letter, according to The Nation, reads:

“Indeed, there is still room for more merciful and robust engagement or interface between you and the government and security agencies in the drive to secure the return of our girls. Enough of undue hate campaign and antagonism.”

“I have followed your activities with due interest.  I personally have nothing against your organisation or its advocacy concerning efforts to recover our girls from captivity of terrorists.  I believe that someday, both your efforts and that of the Nigerian military will be duly understood and appreciated.”

“It is unfortunate that some have sought to equate our efforts to give accounts of activities on the nation’s war on terror as propaganda or cover-up.  This is not true.  We know the difference. We cannot engage in a shouting match with those who have other motives.  We can only try to explain situation to the best of our understanding and available information.”

“The report we present on situations are based on the available information and observance of the elements of propriety, security, policy and accuracy, which has remained our guiding principles.  It is really not true as you have been made to assert repeatedly that the Defence Headquarters and myself are the only sources of information on the operation.”

“The sweeping judgement and insistence that we must do things in a particular way or your claim that we do not follow best practices as well as your remarks comparing our approach to that of other armies is very unfair. Your allegations or claim that we lack transparency is definitely not well informed neither is it being expressed in good faith.”

“The ceaseless criticism we continue to get from you has been so uncharitable and could ordinarily be discouraging. Being in the forefront of the efforts to disseminate information is a job I do with passion and sense of responsibility.  I do not deserve the hatred and mindless antagonism your organization has continued to unleash on me.”

“The belief is that your organisation has the determination to ruin the name, career, and reputation of some targeted military officers among whom I have been specifically marked for such cruel treatment.”

“I can only leave such matter to God and the good judgement of people who read or hear you.  I am so sure I will enjoy the blessing of being vindicated at last.”

“Meanwhile, I wish your team will consider my point here and spare me and the Nigerian military the undue attacks we have continued to be subjected to in the name of monitoring or calling for accountability.”

“I will not be surprised if this appeal draws more or fresh vitriol from your organisation, especially at the prompting of the hawks in your midst who are the disciples of that prominent member and proponent of the malicious campaign.”

“To you as an organisation, please save your platform from being used to perpetrate this injustice as inspired by the prominent and phony member of your BringBackOurGirls campaign.”

Ezekwesili has frequently come under attack for running the campaign with many alleging that she has ulterior motives.

The former minister, who was recently named as one of TIME’s most influential 100 people, however said at the gala for honorees that she would continue to use her ‘loud mouth’ despite opposition.