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That Lemu Report …Averting More Violence, Social Revolution
The danger signals were there for all to see but very few imagined that the divisive campaign of calumny orchestrated by some self-seeking northern political elders would result in the magnitude of killings and destruction of property as experienced during the release of the April 14, 2011 Presidential election results.
Under the aegis of Northern Political Forum and spearheaded by one-time minister, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the group had held that they would make Nigeria ungovernable should the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deny the north, the presidential ticket.
So destructive were the campaigns and dangerous the incitement of ordinary northerners that it became very obvious that danger was indeed lurking around the political process.
However, in exercise of their franchise, majority of Nigerians had voted over-whelmingly in favour of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, against the will of pockets of politicians from the northern parts of the country, who had misinformed their largely illiterate followers that the presidency was the North’s. It was in defence of that interest, not necessarily, Gen Mohammadu Buhari’s call on his supporters to defend their votes, that actually actuated the violence after the election.
This was aptly captured by the Lemu panel which found; “ generally speaking, the basic cause of violence in nearly all the communities concerned is political.
Ethno-religious sentiments were brought into the issue through negative campaigns and rumour-mongering by unscrupulous individuals to achieve their ulterior motives. Similarly, the zoning controversy which started basically as an internal political affair of the ruling party, ultimately changed the nature of the presidential election into ethno-religious contest in the country, particularly in the northern states.
“Provocative utterances by many individuals and the widespread charge by prominent politicians, including the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Presidential candidate, to the electorate to guard their votes appeared to have been mis-construed by many voters to include recourse to violence, which they did.
The panel chairman, however added a caveat intended to exonerate Buhari when he said, “ However, a long interactive session was held with the CPC presidential candidate and five member delegation of the panel led by the chairman, in the office of the CPC Presidential candidate in Kaduna on 14th September, 2011. It was discovered that he himself was a victim of the violence and of the destruction of his property, the photographs of which were given to the delegation.
The committee therefore, chose to blame, of all the causes identified by it , the declining spirit of God-consciousness and accountability before God, very low moral standard as well as social indiscipline in the Nigerian society as the major facilitating factors of the violence in which several among them, defenseless members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were butchered.
Presenting the panel’s report to President Jonathan earlier, Shikh Lemu warned that unless current social, economic and security situation was addressed, it could “escalate to social revolution”. To achieve that, the panel said , the president would step on the toes of some powerful persons and institutions”, who are those? Above the law?
Lemu said; “the first and probably the most important major cause of the post-election crisis is the failure on the part of previous successive regimes, since the military, to hand over (of) power to civilians in 1999, to Implement the recommendations of various committees, commissions and panels that had taken place in our nation”.
Commendable as the Lemu panel’s findings and recommendations may appear, it is most worrisome that punishment for masterminds of the violence that claimed several lives, is not one of them. The implication is that non-implementation of previous reports is a justification for the killings and destruction, meaning in our case, two wrongs can necessarily make one right.
Yes, the greatest incitement to crime is the hope of dodging punishment,, which in part, powered the culture of impunity among well-placed Nigerians and their standing armies who strike at the slightest provocation or even on rumours, but I do not think, that should wipe clean the atrocities of those who engineered the dangerous campaigns that polarised the electorate along ethno-religious lines and then the killings.
The panel has instead, recommended among others, the implementation of various panel reports as a first step towards erasing the culture of impunity and preventing further reprisals, even if the panel agreed that many aggrieved individuals found in the post-election uprising their own opportunity to avenge earlier injustices meted to them.
As would be expected, presidency sources have assured that Jonathan is resolute to implement recommendations of the Lemu panel, as it would also others before it . Infact, a committee has been set up to appraise all such reports to enable the Federal Government produce a white paper that would address, in a lasting manner, all the issues captured by the various reports.
Among such reports listed for action include: The Babalakin Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Bauchi State Civil Disturbances, Karibi Whyte Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Kafanchan Disturbances, Niki Tobi Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Plateau State Disturbances and the Justice Sankey Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Wase and Langtang Disturbances.
The others are, the Justice Disu Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Plateau State Disturbances, Prof Tamuno Panel of Inquiry on National Security and the Justice Uwais Election Reform Committee.
In clear terms, Lemu stated, “people indicted by the committees and commissions concerned should be prosecuted”. That position, the panel explained, arose from their own observation from many victims of those previous disturbances who, according to the panel, are nursing reprisals and have only been waiting for the slightest excuse to move into action, which some of them did during the 2011 election violence and civil disturbances.
If that is so, then those indicted by the Lemu report ought to be fished out and prosecuted also, so as to avoid another reprisal attacks. In clear terms, the process should be addressed holistically and not just targeted at former offenders.
While that is on, a lot needs to be done to the gullible minds of the average northerners to understand that the Jonathan presidency is not the enemy; that presidency of Nigeria is not an exclusive preserve for any section of the country; that the frustration against the system now is misplaced because in most parts of the about 51 years history of the Nigerian state, the northern parts have held on to political power more than all other sections put together.
Therefore, the deprivations, infrastructural decay, economic hopelessness, poverty, hunger and diseases are products of the misrule of the past leadership, mostly of the north who are today inciting them against the Jonathan’s presidency.
To achieve that, the President and Commander-in-Chief should be fair and firm in exercising his constitutional powers necessary to guarantee security of lives and property, while also addressing the problems of poor electric power supply, the economy, infrastructure development, joblessness, education, health, bad federal roads and indeed sustainance of the rule of law.
But I have a worry. How prepared is the nation’s security institutions to face the challenges? How trusted are they? What is their intelligence capability and their level of patriotism? How indeed can we assess their allegiance in this crusade?
These questions are necessary because the Lemu Panel report, shall appear to be inconclusive if it failed as it now appears, to identify the genesis of the inciting campaigns under the guise of projecting northern interest and indeed the key actors whose propaganda machine overtly incited the violence against the Nigerian state and her peoples.
My Agony is that Adamu Ciroma who repeatedly threatened what we today see and witness, was nowhere mentioned directly in the report.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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