Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State had on January 22, set-up a 70-man Peace and Reconciliation Committee aimed at healing old wounds and fostering peace among the citizens of the state following the last year’s post-presidential poll violence that swept the state. In this special report, MIDAT JOSEPH examines how enduring the governor’s healing script may turn out to be.
While announcing the decision to set up a peace and reconciliation committee, Governor Yakowa said the committee has the task to identify and proffer lasting solutions to all issues that have been contributing to recurring crises in Kaduna State. He said, “The committee is to continue with the process of pursuing full and genuine reconciliation amongst all inhabitants of Kaduna State, irrespective of sectional, religious, ethnic or political affiliations.
To advise government on issues of peace and unity with the aim of achieving full reconciliation and communal harmony in the state; and to advise government on any issue that will assist to give lasting peace and enhance the unity and development of the state.
The committee which is to be chaired by Alhaji Abbas Dabo Sambo and AVM Ishaya Shekari (rtd), has the Anglican Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the father of the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero among others as members.
Before the composition of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, the Kaduna State Government had set up a Justice Mohammed Bello Commission of Enquiry to find out the immediate and remote causes of the crises and make recommendation to government.
The commission, which had several sittings, received 313 memoranda from different stakeholders. The commission wound up its sittings in July 2011 and submitted its report to Governor Yakowa in September 2011.
The reconciliation committee received several memoranda and had commenced public hearings with sittings in all the 23 local government areas of the state. But, one question on the lips of many citizens of the state is the fate of the Justice Bello Commission White Paper. Both the JNI and Southern Kaduna Muslim community are insisting on the white paper.
They argued that setting up a reconciliation committee without a white paper is tantamount to waste of time because until and unless government punishes the culprits of the post-election violence, compensates victims and finds permanent solution to the problems; the problem would continue to reoccur.
On his own part, the JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar, called for the prosecution of offenders, saying reconciliation will not be effective without punishing those found to have done wrong against the other people. He added that for as long as offenders are allowed to go scot-free, they would repeat such acts without hindrance.
“For how long shall we continue to allow criminals to go scot-free? You cannot get proper reconciliation until you make examples of persons who have done wrong. The arm of the law should exercise its strength and power on those who have done wrong to stop others. I don’t want to be a pessimist especially on issues intended for peace, tranquility and harmonious coexistence. I hope it would be a very serious exercise.”
The JNI scribe, however, prayed for the success of the exercise adding, “Better than nothing we hope for the best, we hope the committee will achieve its objectives.” Making their submission, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), said the best way out of the violence is the creation of a new state out of the present Kaduna State.
Presenting their position to the committee at its sitting in Kaduna South local government secretariat, the SOKAPU’s 1st Vice President, Barrister Sule Kwasau called for the implementation of the previous reports and white papers on the previous crisis in the state.
He noted that, “the creation of a new state out of present Kaduna state is an inevitable necessity and recipe for lasting peace, justice, equality and harmony. Government as a matter of deliberate policy must embark on political, economic and social engineering to address past injustices and to engender a sense of belonging amongst the citizens of Kaduna State.
“Government must demonstrate the will power to curtail the level of impunity by invoking the provision of the law no matter whose ox is gored. Victims of past violence must be identified and paid compensation. Additional local governments must be created, mission schools must be returned to the owners” adding that government must create Kuturmi and Gbagyi chiefdom.
“Our people are been dispossessed of their farmlands which they survive on through farming activities. This surreptitious policy is a source of concern to us and if not addressed as quickly as possible is capable of igniting conflict,” added the Southern Kaduna people as they called for proactive measure to stem the tide of poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the state.
However, it was a session of deep emotions as some Christians and Muslims who appeared before the Kaduna State Peace and Reconciliation Committee broke down in tears before the committee in the southern part of the state at the weekend. The development surprised everyone in attendance as both parties recalled their glorious days of peace and harmony.
The Christians and Muslims later on embraced each other with a promise to facilitate genuine reconciliation, before the watchful eyes of the committee members led by its co-chairman, Alhaji Abbas Dabo Sambo.
A member of the committee, and secretary-general of Kaduna state chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Danjuma Bello Sarki, confirmed the development when contacted.
Sarki said: “It is true that they were emotional. This happened in Kaura local government. Some of them shed tears and regrettably recalled the ugly incident and the peace that evaded the communities. The Fulani, Hausa, and indigenes came in front of everyone hugging themselves with the promise that they will begin working for peace and understanding.
“They surprised everyone and showed their quest for peace. They went as far as calling on all those who fled and were living in refugee camps to come back and continue with their lives. They were all conscious of the fact that life is no longer interesting and there is an urgent need for peace to return.”
He added that it was clear from their actions that peace was imperative in attaining development and human progress, noting that their sittings in Kauru, Kagarko, and Sanga were also successful and encouraging. In Zango Kataf local government, both Christians and Muslims groups in their personal and collectives Memorandum of Understanding (MEMOs) submitted to the committee, tabled their unhappiness with one another following the 2011 Post-presidential election violence crises
Speaking, the sole administrator of the Local government Mr. Dominic Gambo said that when his administration came on board, they realised that about 237 houses were still standing in some parts of the local government without people occupying them and devoted N6 million for the displace person who fled the area as a result of the crises to returned.
“This money was rejected. In fact there was a time we sent a bus to the Hajj camp to carry those who were willing to come for a reconciliation meeting, but the glasses of buses were destroyed by hoodlums.
Anytime all the leaders of the Muslims and the Christian hold a meeting here and resolve to leave in peace, the next thing you hear is a night attack which made most of the youth to grow restive. But we are happy today that every group has submitted their written MEMOs which we believe will solved the problem,” he said
Making his complain, Dawabi Abayil said that they both have learned their lesson on the crises and urged the committee to ensure the implementation of their resolution. According to him, for fairness, all communities in Kaduna State should be given a “Sarki” that will speaks on their behalf if there is a problem
On his part, Luka Banetnchet took on the Local government chairman that there were others who their houses were burnt in the crises and could not go to the camps but the local government did not give them anything.
The leader of the 70-man committee Abdul Dabo Sambo said that they were out to bring peace in the state calling on the aggrieved parties not to hide anything before them adding that they should embrace each other.
“There are people who have met me and complained on how to return. I advised them on what to do. Our mandate is not to create districts but to resolve the pending issues. Anyone that wants chieftaincy titles should write to the state government, “he said
In Chikun Local government, were a US-based Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, James Kantiok and Professor Shehu Abdullahi were core chairmen said that what brought conflicts in the state is the inability of the people to respect others’ cultures, religion without forcing them to do what they don’t want to do
According to Professor Shehu Abdullahi, they have move round many local governments like Birnin-Gwari, Giwa Kaduna south, Igabi, Kajuru, Zangon Kataf and Chikun where people submitted what they feel bring crises in the state and advice the government on ways of solving them.
“And as you can see people are determined to leave together with one another. We have gathered what we want from the people and this will surely be put into action because the government is not happy with the unfolding crises,” he said
In Kaduna North local government, Governor Yakowa was urged to as a matter of urgency to implement? the white paper report? on the last year’s? April? post-election? violence? which? had caused?? loss of lives and property? worth millions of naira? in the? state.
This was part of the? suggestion? presented? at the? public hearing of Kaduna State peace and reconciliation? committee by different speakers? from the various groups who presented their positioning papers on the? way forward particularly on how to achieve a lasting peace in the? state.
Representing displaced person from Zangon Kataf local government, Mallam? Abdullahi Ahmed? said he was? a victim of the crisis and he lost his father and his children and he was shot by his best friend? who went? his house t inform? his wife and his daughters that he is the one? who killed their father. Mallam Abdullahi said if the Kaduna State? government is sincere on achieving? peace? they should bring the? perpetrators of these acts to book and government should compensate all that have lost their lives and property.
Also in his presentation Mallam Uba Sani the Secretary of the IDPs said government was to be blame? for? its careless attitude on the victims? of the? post election saying that? they have spent almost twelve months in this situation with? some of their family leaving in the camp. He said government had shown no concern to them as traditional rulers and they cannot see how the government can achieve its? desired goals without? justice being done.
Mallam Ja,afar? Yunusa who is also a victims? from Kamuru town told the? committee that? he is an indigene of Kamantan in Zangom Kataf his father and mother are Ikulu by tribe and he doesn’t know any where apart from his town now his kinsmen burnt their house and killed his brother simply because they are Muslims.
He suggested that if government wanted to achieve its set agenda on peace there was need to remove some cabals within the cabinet of the present administration of Yakowa and also justice and equity most be done
According to the memorandum submitted by Justice Development and Peace represented by Mr. Emmanuel Tagwai, the lack of social order, absence of productive economic activity, lack of political manifestos and internal democracy has?? been institutionalized in the state way back from colonial time till now.
He unemployment and joblessness created by closure of several industries in Kaduna contributes to the increase of criminality in the society. Mr. Tagwai suggested that government appointments and distribution of wealth or dividends of democracy should be equitably spread across communities or local government areas irrespective of religious,?? political or ethnic inclinations.
In his welcome address, the Interim Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, Usman Ibrahim said “no matter our grievance, either as an individuals or groups it is only right to come to the round table to dialogue and try to understand our difference.”
The Yakowa’s heal wounds Peace and Reconciliatory Committee has since wound up it state-wide consultationss and meeting and is ready to summit its findings. But, for it to write its name in gold, it must draft a lasting blueprint for peace in the state. The committee has to see beyond what it was shown; hear beyond what it was told; think and act beyond what was expected of it, devoid of personal and collective sentiments.