It was recommended that, “The least that the Buhari-led APC administration could do is to resolve the conflict of ideologies in Nigeria by enacting a new constitution having democracy as the sole national ideology and not attempt to worsen an already bad situation by giving political preference to a particular religion, if any successful election would hold in 2023.”
Ecumenical center
NSCEA has assented to the charge by the UK: “If the current spate of violence and insecurity continues, sadly, the 2023 general elections may not hold in the country.”
In a report on July 30, 2022
by Iwok Iniobong, the election observers held that, “The government of the United Kingdom has warned that the 2023 general elections may not hold in Nigeria if the current spate of violence and insecurity continues.”
Moreover, “The 2023 elections will depart from some of the political dynamics that defined previous elections in the country.” The report added.
Chris Beecroft, director, foreign commonwealth and development office in the United Kingdom, made the submission Friday during the launch of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative (PISI) in Abuja.
Beecroft identified active insurgency in the North East; farmers-herders conflicts which are extending across the country, resource conflicts in the Niger Delta, the tension in the south-east and banditry in the north-west as some of the major challenges.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has assented to the charge by the UK government reinstating the fact that, “If the current spate of violence and insecurity continues, sadly, the 2023 general elections may not hold in the country.”
The umbrella Christian Supreme Council says that, “Nigerians Lives Matter, and no countries would take Nigeria seriously on 2023 election, if the Christians are
being so persecuted, and everyone is being kidnapped slaughtered and massacred by Islamist Terrorists and Jihadists as it’s on-going in the nation.
Speaking at NSCEA, Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, the
Secretary, Elders’ Council, added, “The spate of kidnappings and killings is a dirty slap on the face of Nigerians, and we can no longer take it nor bear up it!”
However, the UK government official said a solution is definitely possible but requires all stakeholders to work together.
He noted that while the military and the police need to be strengthened, the solution to Nigeria’s security challenge does not lie in that alone but in reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice as well.
“We are at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s journey, and now is an important moment for new thinking and action to build a more peaceful future for all Nigerians,” Beecroft said.
“The Foreign, Common-wealth and Development Office values our relationship with the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and have supported the NGF through our programs, including SPARC, PERL and most recently the Technical Assistance provided in framing the Peace and Inclusive Security initiative, PISI.
“Nigeria faces significant peace and security challenges. There is an active insurgency in the North East; farmer-herder conflicts are extending across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the South-East; and banditry in the North West.”
Speaking further, he said rise in conflict risks destabilizing Nigeria’s democracy in the run-up to the 2023 elections.
“Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.
‘’The police and army are in urgent need of reform-but the solution to Nigeria’s instability does not lie in simply strengthening the police and army-but rather in building an effective social contract, building federal, state, local and community level infrastructure to manage conflict; and in giving young people jobs and opportunities so they have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.
‘’Injustice and impunity, weak Justice institutions, the proliferation of small arms and weapons, the weaponization of social media, are all drivers of conflict and instability. But with the right commitment, dedication, and support, there are solutions.
“The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, recognizes the important role NGF plays in setting the peace and security agenda, building state-level and community level structures and institutions to reduce violence and respond to conflict and insecurity across Nigeria.
“The FCDO is keen to continue its collaboration with and support for the government of Nigeria in its efforts to deal with the mounting insecurity. The UK is pleased to have been able to support this initiative and is committed to continuing working with the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, in advancing its peace and security agenda.
“The UK is engaged in supporting Nigeria to reduce violent conflict in a number of areas; we promote a regional response in the North East and Lake Chad Basin through our contribution to the Regional Stabilisation Facility, RSF, and delivery of programs on peace-building, humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians, human development, good governance, and accountability.”
In a follow-up report on August 2, 2022 by Opinion Nigeria, the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday in Abuja, said his regime had given the military “full freedom” to end the insecurity in the country which he called “madness”.
According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari was reacting to the recent attacks in Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto states.
The statement is titled, ‘President Buhari condemns barbaric attacks in Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto, condoles bereaved families.’
The PUNCH reports that at least 50 persons were abducted by terrorists in Damari, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday; sending hundreds of dwellers out of the community.
Also, 18 persons were reportedly killed after bandits and members of vigilante groups clashed in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on Monday.
On July 30, 26 persons drowned in an attempt to escape a gun battle between security officers and bandits in Duma village, Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Responding to the unfortunate incidents on Tuesday, the President said “We have given security forces full freedom to deal with, and bring to end this madness.”
According to Shehu, the President reviewed the situation following reports on the loss of several lives in the attacks, and vowed to provide all possible support from the federal government to the states.
“I condemn these barbaric attacks on the country. I wish to assure the states of all possible support from the government of the federation. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,” said the President.
Bishop Adesanya-Davies says, this news of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), saying, “his regime had given the military “full freedom” to end the insecurity in the country is coming rather too late. Too many lives have been lost already under President Buhari’s watch in the past seven years of his governance without any swift remedy.
Moreover, for the general elections to be useful in 2023, NSCEA would suggest the following should be put in place: A complete NEW CONSTITUTION with inclusion of Christian interests, and that of all Nigerians duly captured.
Secondly: Total RESTRUCTURING OF THE NATION into true federal structure —including regionalization, true fiscal policies, regional security apparatuses, etc, so that the federal government would be in charge of foreign policy, the economy, protection of the territorial integrity of the Nation, and all such responsibilities that would be captured in the new constitution.
Thirdly, Nigeria must RESIGN IT’S MEMBERSHIP FROM ALL ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS, and delete all Arabic writings/symbols from the insignia of the Nigerian Army.
The Church can no more be sitting on the fence, hence, NSCEA gives a black eye to the spate of insecurity in the nation, says, it’s unsure if peaceful elections could be conducted amid these existential crises of terrifying insecurity, worsening and economic meltdown rand lack of unity and sense of belonging ravaging the country.
In a similar development, National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) is said to have been observing events as Nigeria prepares for another election year in 2023. The intrigues and the horse trading by the political class are uncomfortable indications that those who rule Nigeria have not learnt any lesson from the errors of the past. The country cannot continue doing the same things repeatedly and expect different results.
We would recall that, NCEF has stated in many publications that, “The problem of Nigeria is majorly the conflict between Democracy and Sharia ideology in the 1999 Constitution. Sharia in the constitution is the real politics of religion. The illegal and unwarranted incursion of Sharia into the 1999 Constitution is at the root of the Islamist insurgency and insecurity that has plagued Nigeria since 2009.”
It was recommended that, “The least that the Buhari-led APC administration could do is to resolve the conflict of ideologies in Nigeria by enacting a new constitution having democracy as the sole national ideology and not attempt to worsen an already bad situation by giving political preference to a particular religion, if any successful election would hold in 2023.”
It is time for ethic reconciliation and state reconsolidation, if 2023 election must hold, added Adesanya-Davies.
Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Secretary, Elders’ Council
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA).