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Tag: Peace

  • Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari says that peace in multi-ethnic and religiously divergent Ilorin should be a case study. ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said that the ethno-religious and political diversity of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been a source of blessing to the town and that Nigerians should take a cue from the ancient town.

    The monarch also urged would-be chroniclers of Ilorin history to carry out intensive research before publishing any book about the town.

    Represented by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu W. Mohammed, the emir spoke this at the launch of a book titled: “Managing Ethno-political relations in Nigeria: The Ilorin example, 1823-2003.”

    Foremost historian and Dean, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Akeem Danmole urged Nigerian intellectual to come up on the history of their towns and cities.

    Prof Danmole who taught the author of the book, Dr Abdulwahab L. Olumo at the university, said he encouraged the writer not to abandon the writing of the book midway.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Shuaib Abdulraheem said that the book having been subjected to academic scrutiny had met international standard.

    He said the author’s dedication and perseverance made the book to see the light of the day, adding that “no one can tell the story of a town than the ‘son of the soil.’”

    A lecturer in the department of political science, UNILORIN, Prof Hassan Saliu said “either in past or present, Islam is a major factor working to unite all Ilorin people with the existing political order. Once Islam is removed from our understanding of certain phenomena in Ilorin, our knowledge of such issues would be incomplete.

    “This had played out in the rejection of merger with our western brothers and sisters under the first republic. Nothing has changed in the position of Ilorin as the town has shown more tolerance and accommodation with northern political establishment than any other political tendency in the country.

    “Indeed, the Ilorin people have never failed to make the point that they are Yoruba speaking people in the north, not Yoruba. It is however a troubling reality that we do not yet have much to show for this alliance.”

    In his own remark, Akeem Yusuf, a legal practitioner said the book had contributed to the body of knowledge, noting the author had contributed his quota to the development of the community.

    Mr. Yusuf added that “the book is a challenge to all of us here to put on our thinking cap by coming up with our own books to advance the frontiers of knowledge.”

     

  • U.S. urges peace at Church’s premiere of Captive

    U.S. urges peace at Church’s premiere of Captive

    The acting Consul General of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab has said that her country will continue to partner Nigeria to achieve peaceful co-existence and sustainable development.

    Ghebreab made this declaration last Thursday at a press conference held before the premiere of Captive, at the House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos.

    According to the US Consul, peace is not negotiable in any nation that aspires to achieve sustainable democracy and development. Ghebreab said her country is in partnership with The Rock Cathedral to send a strong message that will change people’s lives.

    “We are partnering on a theme to look at a purpose driven life. The movie, Captive shows how the struggle between hope and despair play out,” Ghebreab said.

    The American diplomat reminded all that societies learn from each other and in order to extend the American democracy beyond America, “we decided to share that experience with Nigerians through Selma.”

    Speaking earlier, host of the event and senior pastor of House on The Rock, Paul Adefarasin called on Nigerians to live a purpose driven lifestyle. He said Nigeria, in her 55 years as an independent nation, has faced a series of challenges such as oppressive regimes, bad governance and terrorism.

    Adefarasin recalled that the public premiere of the movie, Selma in the twilight of Nigeria’s general elections achieved a lot as the movie spoke to the subject of peace at a time when it appeared that Nigeria was going to disintegrate.

    The clergy also said House on The Rock is working assiduously towards the attainment of peace because it is only a peaceful atmosphere that brings about development in a country. He charged Nigerians to see themselves as one family.

    “Do we continue to view one another as different people? Do we accept that we are a united nation or do we insist that we are an amalgam of different nationalities? Do we accept that we are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, Bini, Kalabari, Ibibio, Tiv, Birom, Idoma, Efik or the many more tribal distinctions that exist in our country or do we accept that we are simply and proudly Nigerians,” he asked.

    He further stated that “all the great nations of our world today only became great because they had a purpose to do so as one people of one nation around an uncompromised system of shared values; value systems that invariably included equal opportunity, equity, justice, freedom, peace, progress and tahe majority principle.”

    Also at the event was the former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who expressed delight in the collaboration between the United States Consulate and House on The Rock.

    According to Ezekwesili “the church plays an important role in nation building. We thank the US consular for this kind of partnership. Strategic partnerships matter. Partnering on such a day as our annual independence makes it much more relevant and is important for nation building.”

    Captive was later screened to a cross section of Nigerians from the political, business and social class.

  • IPMAN brokers peace

    Peace is set to return to the folds of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ibadan depot, following the ratification of peace accords at the end of an emergency general meeting of the union.

    IPMAN, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by its officers in Ibadan/Ibarapa I&II, Oke-Ogun I&II, Ife-Ijesha, Osun and Oyo/Ogbmoso zones, said the congress agreed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ibadan Depot belongs mainly to Oyo and Osun states respectively and other adjoining states, adding that Alhaji Raheem Rasaq Tayo is the duly elected chairman.

    It said:  “The house recognised the grievances of the members and wish that they join IPMAN fold to resolve all lingering crisis. An election was held at IPMAN Secretariat on February 4, this year which was conducted by the IPMAN Zonal and National Executives and witnessed by the Oyo State Police and the State Security Service (SSS). If they fail to agree and abide by the said election result, fresh election will be held in line with the practice of IPMAN in Ibadan Depot.” It was also observed that “no form of harmonisation of positions will bring lasting peace other than to have a fresh election”, hence the decision that “election be conducted at a date to be chosen and venue in which the representatives of the Houses of Assembly of Oyo and Osun will serve as observers.”

    For fare representation, they concluded that an undertaken be signed before the conduct of the election, warning that “the outcome will be binding on all parties involved. All security agencies such as the police, the SSS and the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC) should be invited to witness the conduct of the election.”

    On allocation, it was agreed that “all forms of discretionary allocations be stopped forthwith at the NNPC Ibadan Depot. IPMAN’s monthly allocation should be chart followed strictly and be made public. Henceforth, IPMAN’s constitutional levy for local, bridging and transfer be resuscitated immediately at all loading NNPC and private depots.”

     

  • Spreading message of peace

    Spreading message of peace

    When art collectors, enthusiasts and friends of Ridwan Oshinowo gathered at the opening of his solo art exhibition, tagged: Seeds of peace, the sower and the envoy, at the National Museum in Lagos, not many had the inkling that the show would be more than an art event.

    Apart from attracting a representative of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, and the regular Lagos art enthusiasts, the exhibition was attended by arts and Islamic scholars, such as Prof Sheriffiden Adetoro; Imam AbdurRahman Ahmad; Dr. Owolabi Junaid; Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti and Lt. Col Aliyu Emekoma.

    A talk by AbdurRahman on the theme of the event set the tone for the evening. He urged Nigerians to learn to live together peacefully, noting that everyman is equal before God– whether black or white – and that creativity is a universal heritage of man and not western or oriental.

    He said everything God does points to oneness of sustenance, which defines Islam. “God is the master designer. He creates harmony in all the creations. This also promotes peace among people. However, we are from dust and will return to dust. But we must not fail to take home the messages of the arts. We are united by creativity and may we be inspired to live in peace with one another,” he said.

    Also Adebule, represented by the Head of Service Alhaja Sherifat Jaji, said the message of peace and peaceful co-existence which is being passed through the exhibition is very instructive. She stressed that the need for religious tolerance and harmony cannot be over-emphasised, especially at this time when criminal activities are being perpetrated against humanity around the world in the name of religion.

    “At a time like this, all true adherents of different religions belief must unite in denouncing these criminal elements more importantly, we must also not relent in the effort to regularly showcase the true teachings and tenets of our religion to the world. This is particularly relevant for the young people who must be protected against being led into taking actions and exhibiting attitude that have no basis in our religion. We must commit ourselves to building a peaceful society in which we see each other as one. It is only in this atmosphere that our society can achieve meaningful progress and development,” she added.

    According to Ebiti, the exhibition marked the second attempt to create awareness of the depth and vastness of messages from the Holy Quran, especially as regards peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst mankind. “Therefore, the theme for this exhibition is very relevance and appropriateness to today’s reality. Islamic art forms especially calligraphy has existed from the early days of Islam whereby mosques and various monuments were inscribed with different quotations from the Holy Quran,” he said.

    Ebiti, however, decried the shortage of Islamic art facilities in the state’s tertiary institutions. “We crave the indulgence of the various state and federal governments to establish Islamic art facilities in our tertiary institutions,” he added.

    The exhibition which ended last Sunday featured paintings, calligraphy and mixed media.

     

  • Peace at last

    University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) President Peter Oji has been reinstated by the parliament, three months after he was suspended for misconduct. KINGSLEY AMATANWEZE (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) reports.

    The crisis rocking the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Students’ Union Government (SUG) have been resolved following the reinstatement of the suspended union president, Peter Oji, last week.

    Peter was suspended in May over the allegations of gross misconduct and financial mismanagement levelled against him by members of the Student Representatives’ Council (SRC) – the union’s parliament.

    Ekene-Peter-Oji
    Ekene-Peter-Oji

    But the inability of the parliament members to adopt the report of a panel set up to investigate the allegations led to Peter’s reinstatement.

    It was learnt that the report of the panel found the embattled union president guilty of the allegations, but the parliament could not get a quorum to adopt Peter’s impeachment as stated by the union’s constitution.

    But, Peter denied the corruption allegations when he spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, identifying communication gap between members as the cause of the crisis rocking the union. He said his intention was misunderstood, adding that his controversial activities were done in the best interest of the union.

    According to him, things fell apart in the union when members could not agree on budget harmonisation.

    He said: “Apart from the lateness of some members of executive to the union meeting, what caused the disagreement was the expectation of some people, who wanted us to disburse all the money in the union’s account to all offices. I was opposed to this thinking and maintained that all members of executive should source for fund for their respective projects. Controversies broke out and exchange of strong words followed.”

    On the allegation of unapproved letting of the union building, Peter said: “I leased out four shops in the building at the rate of N250,000 per shop and I went out to source for interested parties. The money was to be used to renovate the building, but many of the parliament members thought the school released money for the project.

    “I suggested that the union could use only three offices, in which every member of the executive and leadership of the parliament would be entitled to a desk when the renovation work is completed. The remaining spaces should be let out to business operators to raise money for the union’s activities. But some people opposed this suggestion, saying they preferred every member should have partitioned office.”

    Peter said he had resolved the thorny issues with his colleagues in the executive arm of the union, noting that the union had emerged united.

    Godwin Nwangele
    Godwin Nwangele

    A 300-Level Electronic Engineering student and a member of the parliament, Godwin Nwangele, told CAMPUSLIFE that Peter’s action to bypass the union’s procedure led to the crisis. Godwin said some of the allegations levelled against the president were blown out of proportion.

    He said: “There were a lot of allegations against Peter. But from my understanding, some were blown out of proportion. He truly made some mistakes, which, in my judgment, were just evasion of the union’s procedures. Peter did not make proper consultation before taking steps, which seemed to him as being proactive. He breached procedures in most cases. I believe he has learnt his lessons. In leadership, everybody must be carried along.”

    The union’s Treasurer, Eberechi Nwachukwu, a 300-Level Civil Engineering student, who fought the president, blamed the crisis on Peter’s failure to carry other executive members along. He said some of Peter’s intentions were later found out to be good but the embattled president, he said, left members of the union in the dark.

    Eberechi Nwachukwu
    Eberechi Nwachukwu

    An English and Literary Studies student, who simply gave her name as Confidence, faulted Peter’s suspension. She said: “I think the suspension was motivated more by personal interest. The suspension did not stop corruption in the union and this is why I think it was self-serving. Campus journalists must delve in and investigate the issues at stake.”

    Peter said his reinstatement did not come as a surprise, praising some members of the parliament, who, he said, stood for justice by throwing out a “doctored report” of the panel.

    It should be recalled that the union was restored a few months ago, after almost 10 years of proscription by the management.

  • How the nation can have peace, by Tambuwal

    How the nation can have peace, by Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal was the guest at a conference organised by the Faculty of Social Science of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), where he gave tips on how the nation can surmount its security challenges. ISMAT ANIFOWOSE (300-Level Economics) and YASIN OLAWUMI (300-Level English Language) report.

    The fifth conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) was aimed at enlightening the public on the role of security in national integration and development. And the special guest of honour – Governor Aminu Tambuwal – believes security is critical to any effort aimed at rebuilding the nation.

    The nation’s security challenges, he said, would be solved if people gave useful information about criminal activities in their areas.

    Tambuwal, who spoke on Security, National Integration and Challenges of Development in Nigeria, said security of lives and property remained the challenge facing 21st societies, stressing the need for a partnership between the people and security agencies.

    He said: “Without doubt, insecurity is the most daunting challenge undermining the growth and development of Nigeria as a nation. As the chief executive and, by implication, the chief security officer of this state, an event of this nature is necessary in enhancing our understanding of the dynamic and complex requirements of the challenges that could inhibit sustainable peace and security in the state.”

    He said insecurity had led to the diversion of resources meant for the development of key sectors of the economy to respond to the challenges of security at various levels. Tambuwal said the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was alive to its responsibilities of providing adequate security to ensure sustainable political and socio-economic change.

    He said: “The turn of events in the last two months attests to the commitment and resolve of the present government to liberate the country from security challenges. The various arms of our security forces are being repositioned to reduce the nation’s battered image. At the state level, similar responses are also underway to institutionalise coherent security mechanisms that will consolidate the peace and security that our state is famous for.”

    Tambuwal charged the participants on enlightening the public to join hand with the government to secure the state. He said adequate security would promote economic growth and human development, but he said it could only be achieved if people are vigilance and give information about criminal activities.

    The chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Sokoto State University, Prof Nuhu Yakubu, said the event’s theme was timely, given the current security challenges in the Northeast. The Boko Haram insurgency, he said, has led to extreme poverty and bred corruption in the management of security budget. While saying security of the lives and properties should be the primary focus of government, Prof Yakubu said people had key role to play in proffering solution to their challenges.

    The UDUS VC, Prof Abdullahi Zuru, said economy could only thrive in a peace environment, adding that insecurity had hampered the nation’s development in the last five years. He believed said he expressed national integration could be achieved if there was security.

     

    A lecturer of the Department of Economics, Anas Sanda, hinged the cause of insecurity to income inequality and unstable growth in the economy. He said he carried out a study, which examined relationship between income inequality and economy growth in African countries.

    His findings, he said, suggested that income inequality has a negative effect on economic growth, which means a country that has high level of inequality is to experience decline in economic growth.

    Sanda said the study showed that income inequality could generate tension in the society. He urged the government to implement policies that would close the gap between income and economic growth. He said there would always be security challenges in a society where majority of the citizens are hungry and could not have access to the basic needs of life.

    The session was followed by question and answer session, after which the Deputy VC for Administration gave the closing prayer.

    The university auditorium, where the event was held, was filled to the brim. Guests at event included the Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Head of Service, Alhaji Suleiman Shinkafi, Governor of Zamfara State, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof Abdullahi Shikafi and Ssultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Buhari Abubakar, among others.

  • Complicating the peace

    Complicating the peace

    •It’s time for the National Peace Committee to go

    As its name may suggest, the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections has probably outlived its usefulness. The elections have been won and lost across the country. So why is the group still going about with a sense of relevance and giving the impression that it is busy making efforts to maintain peace in the polity?

    In particular, the critical March 28 presidential election that produced President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now history. Considering that the committee was constituted in response to palpable public fears about a possible eruption of disorder arising from the presidential election, the concrete reality of a Buhari presidency should imply closure for its business.

    The committee has been useful as an agent of peace, especially in getting Buhari and then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sign an agreement to maintain the peace, irrespective of the result of the presidential poll. With that chapter over, it is puzzling that the committee seems to have promoted itself to another level of keeping the post-election peace. An explanation by the group’s spokesman, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, concerning its meeting with President Buhari on August 11 is instructive: “We gave a bit of update about the relevance of the Peace Committee itself and how we can help to nurture what God has given to us.”

    Curiously, the committee’s visit to Buhari came barely three days after Jonathan had paid him a secret visit, raising public suspicion of its motive. Kukah compounded this suspicion by what he said about Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, which many interpreted as pro-Jonathan. Kukah said: “I think what we are concerned about is process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws everybody is innocent until proven guilty.” Certainly, the Buhari administration didn’t need such a lesson. Also, the logic appeared to be corruption-friendly.

    Public criticism of this posture has been vigorous, and it is unlikely that the committee can regain popular confidence. This development is further proof that the committee is no longer regarded as a vehicle for peace. Having lost its initial raison d’être, it should be put to a deserved rest.

    Elongation of the committee’s life would mean a continuing association between the Buhari administration and its members, which may have negative implications because some of them have been linked with suspected large-scale scams. Furthermore, the committee’s variegated membership reflects various interests and tendencies, which are likely to create internal divisions outside the primary purpose for which it was started – preventing chaos in the aftermath of the 2015 presidential election.

    Present at the meeting with Buhari were former military ruler General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Also in attendance were Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Priscilla Kuye, and Senator Ben Obi.

    ‘The committee has been useful as an agent of peace, especially in getting Buhari and then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sign an agreement to maintain the peace, irrespective of the result of the presidential poll. With that chapter over, it is puzzling that the committee seems to have promoted itself to another level of keeping the post-election peace’ 

    Evidence of conflicting ideas among the committee’s members manifested when the Sultan of Sokoto said at a well-publicised event after the meeting with Buhari: “It is our belief that all those found guilty should not only have their entire assets seized and forfeited to government but also face jail sentences.”  It is noteworthy that the Sultan didn’t sound like Bishop Kukah.

    There is also the issue of nomenclature as Buhari reportedly referred to the committee as a council, which suggests an institutional capacity that it lacks and should not be invested with.  In the final analysis, instead of complicating the peace, it is time for the committee to cease to exist.

     

  • Gombe: A blueprint for farmers-herdsmen’s peace

    Gombe: A blueprint for farmers-herdsmen’s peace

    For no fewer than four years, Gombe State has been spared the common bloody clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers. The reason is the state’s  blueprint, reports VINCENT OHONBAMU

    Across the country, herding cattle has since become just as dangerous as tilling the soil. Herdsmen and farmers often clash over grazing  rights, destruction of crops and herd rustling, among others. Those clashes do not merely leave the combatants with bloody noses. Perhaps, thousands have perished, not only on the farms or in the wild but also in communities where raids have nearly wiped out residents.

    Worse, no state has found an answer to the bloodbath, except Gombe. In the past four years, herdsmen have been grazing their animals in peace, just as farmers have been cultivating without much issues from their roving counterparts.

    Gomber residents have their governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo to thank for it. His peace strategies are paying off.

    What did he do?

    He set up a devoted committee which ensures that any sign of clash is never allowed to degenrate to a fight.

    It is in this regard that the governor has offered to avail the Federal Government his blueprint on containing farmer-herdsman clashes.

    “The state is ready to surrender the blueprint of its existing strategies to the Federal Government at any given time,” Dankwambo said.

    “We have a committee existing under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry that settles whichever disputes whenever it or may occour and we call it The State Farmers and Cattle Rearers’ Committee and has a dedicated line with a secretary.

    “So, we welcome the Federal Government to come to Gombe state and learn from the experience of such committee and that is why over-time, we have not had any kind of clashes or disputes in Gombe State.”

    Governor Dankwambo spoke in Gombe at the flag-off of sales of 12,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers and 35.5 metric tonnes of improved varieties of seeds to farmers in the state for the 2015 wet season farming.

    He warned against diverting the inputs, and discriminatory sale of the commodities, saying they “belong to the people.”

    He said each bag fertilizers was procured at N6,400 and would be sold N3,800 (46% subsidy) a bag while the improved varieties of maize (Samaz 18 and Samaz 14) would sell for N750.00 per 10kg bag.

    He expressed satisfaction with the pace of agricultural development in the state and dry season farming in which many farmers now exploit the agricultural potentials of Dadin-Kowa Dam, Balanga Dam and the Gongola River basin, pledging commitment “to supporting them to raise production and maintain the leading role of the state in agricultural production in the Northeast sub-region.

    There is more. Some  225 new tractors and 3,358 ox-drawn ploughs have been procured and distributed to farmers, who also now boast improved grains to boost their yields.

    Dankwambo also recalled the “procurement and distribution of 8,000 units of water pumps sold at subsidised rates to farmers.

    Things are looking up  for Gombe farmers, just as their cattle-breeding counterparts have little to worry about.

    The Gombe blueprint is worth celebrating.

     

  • ‘Peace has returned to House’

    The lawmaker representing Ibadan North Abiodun Dada Awoleye has said there is now peace in the House of Representatives Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

    Awoleye spoke with reporters on Monday.

    He said: “It is a normal thing to experience such misunderstanding while contesting for a leadership position but now we have settled everything and are experiencing peace and tranquility. I want to assure Nigerians that we will perform above expectation in the Eighth Assembly”

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari ’’has started his anti-corruption crusade in all sectors of the economy and with time we shall have a positive result. President Buhari has come to serve the masses and not to enrich himself and we will give him our support to achieve his aim,“ the lawmaker said.

  • Away with this Peace Committee

    I think what we are concerned about is the process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws, everybody is innocent until proven guilty.” This is a statement credited to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Dioceses, Bishop Hassan Kukah, when The Peace Committee for 2015 general elections led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar visited President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday August 11, 2015. As it were, I found nothing wrong in the Peace Committee visiting the President because any credible group is free to visit the President since the President is for everybody and for nobody in particular. What I am worried about is the timing and the motive of the visit. I am deeply worried about the purpose of this visit. Is it to shield some people from the investigations on corruption going in almost every critical sector of our economy? Is it to try to circumvent a clinical process being put in place to put things in order in Nigeria? Is it to try to slow down President Buharis’s agenda to rid Nigeria of corruption? Is it an attempt to intimidate the President to slow down and let the corrupt who pillaged and plundered our common patrimony to go scot free? Is it a blackmail to render nugatory APC’s agenda to bring the change it promised Nigerians? Are the Peace Committee members not aware of the sordid roles some members of the committee played during President Jonathan’s tenure? Why these crude interventions at a time like this? Is the Peace Committee working to protect Jonathan and his cronies and shield them from facing the jury? When has it become an offence to investigate past leaders and bring them to book if necessary? What is the meaning of this dangerous mediation at a time like this? A friend tells me that the rampancy of corruption in Nigeria is a function of low Intelligence Quotient (IQ) on the part of all of us. Can the members of the Peace Committee be exonerated?

    Please listen to Bishop Kukah’s second sentence: “Again, our commitment is not to intimidate or fight anybody, the former President’s commitment and what he did still remains spectacular and I think that President Buhari himself appreciates that. So our effort really is to make sure that the right thing is done.” Now, what is this spectacular thing that the former president Jonathan did, to preside over a corrupt empire never known in the history of Nigeria, to decimate and desecrate the political decision to rotate power between the North and South and consequently put the nation in danger, to accept that he blew billions of dollars and pounds in an election he was bound to lose because the figures were not in his favour. He did something spectacular by accepting defeat in an election he lost fair and square? He did something spectacular by allowing every Dick and Harry including his wife to declare war on our national till?

    Let the truth be told, former president Jonathan was defeated black and blue, left and right, front and back and up and down. Eleven small states in the South-South and South- East would not have defeated 25 states from the South-West, North-West, North-East and North-Central. There was no way two small zones would have defeated four big zones in that crucial elections. Therefore, there was nothing spectacular about accepting defeat. He had no choice than to hand over and bow out. Former president Jonathan’s ambition to rule Nigeria for 10 years plus OBJ’s eight years put Nigeria in great danger. In fact it put a knife on things that have held us together. It divided the country, and it was a threat to national unity.

    It is therefore worrisome and unacceptable for the members of the Peace Committee to try to blackmail and intimidate APC and President Buhari in their strong desire and determination to fulfill what the party promised Nigerians. APC promised to fight corruption, impunity and lawlessness. APC promised to restore sanity and progress in the land. APC promised to do things differently and change the way we think, the way we reason, the way we act, the way we plan and the way we work. APC promised to plug all the loop holes and stop all the leakages within the system. APC promised to stop the oil thieves and chase the saboteurs away from the power sector and NNPC. APC cannot achieve all this without the required political will, courage and strong leadership. The task of rebuilding and repositioning Nigeria is a task that must be done and the president must be encouraged to go the whole hog. Have we suddenly forgotten what President Buhari went through in the course of the campaign? Have we forgotten all the hate campaigns against candidate Buhari? Have we forgotten the Certificate issue, his health issue, and his age issue? What did the Peace Committee do? They said Buhari will not rule Nigeria. They said he is brain dead. They said he has no certificate. They said he is not electable. They said he will die in office. They abused his family. They said APC will not survive till October 2014. They said Nigeria will be set on fire if Jonathan loses.

    Now that God has made Buhari president, please let us allow him to work. There are some faces I saw in the Peace Committee that send strong signals to me that it is former president Jonathan’s show. An evil spirit visited the house in the night and the child died in the morning. We know better. President Buhari should be allowed to do the work God wants him to do. God brought this president in the saddle to do what he is doing now. They did everything humanly possible to stop him but he defeated them all. I know that the election losers are still very angry, and are yet to come to terms with what hit them but it is a mission accomplished. I am told that old ways will not open new doors. PDP posed an existential threat to Nigeria while the bazaar lasted. Now we have a new order. This is a new Nigeria. Please allow President Buhari to fight corruption and restore sanity in the land.

     

    • Joe Igbokwe wrote from Lagos