In a time of national crisis, no reasonable person should stand aloof and wish that the crisis resolves itself. Anonymous
The aforementioned committee came into prominence during the build up to the 2015 general elections when ominous signs hung on the nation like the sword of Damocles on what the outcome of the elections, especially the Presidential, portent for the nation. Made up of very prominent Nigerians including top clerics from my own faith, the committee was able to reduce tension just before the elections by committing the contending forces then to sign peace accord that parties should shun violence and self help if the elections did not go their way. It advocated constitutional and peaceful means of ventilating any grievances arising from the conduct of the elections.
It followed through to its self assigned mandate by getting the then incumbent President to put a call across to its main rival, the current President, congratulating him on his success at the polls even when the result had not been officially declared by the electoral umpire – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With that singular move, tension was diffused and the nation heaved a huge sigh of relief. Consequently, the Committee had since etched itself on national marble and the psyche of Nigerians as the moral compass of the nation.
Just before the 2019 general elections, the committee repeated what it did in 2015 elections; the contending political gladiators were again made to sign the peace accord. The elections have largely been concluded, save for few states were the gubernatorial and state houses of assembly elections have been declared inconclusive and repeat of the exercise slated for 23rd March, 2019 and Rivers State where the gubernatorial and state assembly elections have been suspended due to violence that marred the polls and extended to the collation centre in Port Harcourt – no thanks to hooligans in army uniform.
Immediately the presidential election result was announced and to stem any untoward reaction from the main contender – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar – and his supporters, the National Peace Committee swung into action and met with him and thereafter with the incumbent President – Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) – and now President elect. The former and his supporters laid their grievances before the committee about the conduct of the elections and made it clear that they would contest the outcome constitutionally. Their grievances, it was reported, were tabled before the President by the Committee. Nobody is privy to what these grievances are and the response of the president elect.
The committee after meeting with the two main presidential contenders (post election) just like it did after the 2015 elections appears to feel satisfied with its performance or so it seems. In essence, the committee feels that its job is concluded. That has opened a vista of interrogation by not a few Nigerians including this writer as to the real agenda of the committee. Few posers need urgent clarification from the committee:
- Is the scope of its assignment just limited to getting contending parties sign a peace accord to eschew violence before, during and after elections and just accept the outcomes once the results are announced?
- Does it have any mechanism in place to monitor the conduct of the elections with a view to ensuring that the elections are free, fair, transparent and credible and thus nip in the bud any potential violence if the elections are deficient in any or all of the principles?
- In the event that it discovers that the preceding falls short of standard, how does it ensure that the identified anomalies are corrected on time to the satisfaction of all and avoid any untoward reaction from dissatisfied parties?
To be candid, I have never envied the assignment that the peace committee has undertaken for itself. It is a thankless job that if not properly handled will attract a lot of backlash. But considering the calibre of men driving it, one cannot but expect a good, indeed excellent, performance from it. In a season where many if not all of the so called civil rights organizations and activists have suddenly gone both dumb and numb for whatever reason, the committee still stands out as a beacon of hope.
That is why not a few Nigerians were stiffly worried about the silence of the committee to the brazen display of brute force by security agents and even armed thugs obviously at the behest of the ruling party at the centre in most states of the federation during the just concluded elections. Serving ministers, top ranking members of the ruling party and members of parliament elected or who have defected to the ruling party were known to be moving about with security men during elections either intimating or unleashing mayhem on the hapless voters. The situation particularly in Rivers State where as at the time of writing this article, nothing regarding the result of the March 9 elections is known except that the election has been ‘suspended’, calls for serious concern and the apparent silence of the committee is giving many Nigerians goose pimples. Though the committee is not one given to playing to the gallery regarding expressing its concerns to the right quarters, nothing so far has suggested that it has done so.
The foregoing strikes at the heart of the agenda which the committee has set for itself! Is it just to get parties before elections to sign peace accord that no violence would occur? What of ensuring that the things that would precipitate violence are checkmated? It needs to clarify its agenda along the lines already enunciated because to all intents and purposes, it appears to be the only body most Nigerians trust to stand on the path of truth and speak the truth to all and sundry, no matter whose ox is gored. It needs to act fast to rekindle the confidence of Nigerians who are beginning to doubt its ability to rise up to situations as occasions demand.
Dr. Emeka Okolo
