FG raises probe panel on electoral violence

THE Federal Government has constituted a 22-man investigation panel on election violence and civil disturbances.

The panel is to investigate pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State as well as civil unrest in some states following the 2011 presidential election.


Already, six members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State were yesterday docked at a magistrate’s court in Osogbo over alleged arson and political violence.

According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary (GSO), Femi Olayisade, for Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the panel is composed of Sheikh Ahmed Lemu as Chairman; Justice Samson Uwaifo (rtd) as Vice Chairman; Rev. Father Idowu Feron, member; Alhaji Muhammadu Danmadami, member; Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, member; Mrs. Lateefat Okunnu, member; M. B. Wali, member; Dr. Timiebi A. Koripamo-Agary, member; and Peter Esele, member.

Other members of the panel are Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim, member; Prof. Femi Odekunle, member; Ambassador Ralph Uwuche, member; Alhaji Bukar Usman, member; Sheikh Adam Idoko, member; Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Said (retired), member; P. C. Okorie, member; Shamsuna Ahmed, member; Maj.-Gen. L.P. Ngubane, member; Alhaji Sani Maikudi, member; Rear Admiral I. Hotonu, member; serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, member; and Mr. F. F. Ogunshakin as Secretary.

The terms of reference of the panel are:

To investigate the immediate and remote cause(s) of the pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State as well as the tide of unrest in some states of the federation following the presidential election and make appropriate recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence; to ascertain the number of persons who lost their lives or sustained injuries during the violence; to identify the spread and extent of loss and damage to means of livelihood and assess the cost of damage to personal and public property and places of worship and make appropriate recommendations; to investigate the sources of weapons used in the unrest and recommend how to stem the tide of illegal flow of such weapons to the country; and to examine any other matter incidental or relevant to the unrest and advise government as appropriate.

According to the statement, the panel will be inaugurated tomorrow at 11.00 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, and accommodation has been reserved for members at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with effect from today.

Also yesterday, the Abia Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and human rights activists in the state have urged northern governors to re-build churches and markets that were burnt during the post-election violence.

Bishop Goddy Okafor, the state Chairman of CAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba yesterday that northern governors should re-settle and compensate families who lost their lives and property as soon as possible.

He condemned the killings of innocent Nigerians, including some youth corps members and burning of churches and markets, warning that “enough is enough”.

“Such dastardly acts should stop. If anyone is aggrieved, he should go to court to seek redress, instead of taking the lives of innocent Nigerians.

“The Christians have endured so much and there is a limit to their endurance. Let it never be mentioned again that Christians were killed or churches burnt in the north. We all have equal rights if we must remain as a nation,” he warned.

Okafor urged the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators of the post-election violence were adequately punished to serve as a deterrent to others in future.

He thanked God for the success of the general elections, and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use the God-given opportunity of his election to better the lives of Nigerians.

“Let him use the opportunity given to him by Nigerians to better their lives, especially in the power sector, education, health, road and agriculture,’’ he added.