By Nawani Ezekiel Aboki, Ph’D
During his campaign tour of the local government areas seeking re-election, Governor Sule promised to do everything possible to promote peace and peaceful coexistence in the state. Over the years, Nasarawa State has suffered from several violent crises and conflicts, resulting in deaths, destruction of property, and farmland, which engenders mistrust and suspicion. Peace is an essential ingredient for development, while crises and conflicts hinder progress. It is evident that communities engulfed in wars and conflicts are yet to commence the path to development.
Governor Sule believes that the path of peace can be built collaboratively through dialogue among conflicting communities and sustained government action. This belief has been reflected in all his actions since assuming office in conflict areas. His investment in security has been substantial because he values lives and property. Nasarawa State is the only state where you can find the Air Force, Army, Police, Civil Defense Corps, and vigilantes working together. There is no doubt that Nasarawa State can be called the home of peace. It might not be perfect, but efforts are ongoing to achieve lasting peace.
Recently, the governor invested in several high-powered committees to identify causes and solutions to major conflict points in the state. Some of these include the protracted Bassa-Egbira crisis, the conflict between Odu and Ebe communities, and the conflict between Wuse and Akiri. These committees have submitted their reports, and the conflicts in these areas have subsided. Efforts are ongoing to reconcile and resolve these issues.
Interstate discussions between Nasarawa and Benue States have reduced crises among communities along the Benue and Nasarawa border to the barest minimum. This is in addition to the current effort to re-map the border between the two states, which the governor has taken very seriously. In line with this, a new commissioner was appointed to achieve this purpose.
His recent efforts to personally reconcile aspirants for the position of chairmen of local government were a significant step toward peaceful coexistence within his party and the state. The people rose in unison to salute and appreciate this giant step, which no one had ever carried out in the political arena since the creation of the state. He exhibited the values of a peacemaker.
What can you say about a man so princely yet so humble, so powerful yet so meek, and a man who sits on the throne of power yet engages with the weak and poor? He is indeed a peacemaker. Supporting Governor Sule is equivalent to promoting peace and peaceful coexistence. Indeed, this is another promise kept by Governor Sule to the people of Nasarawa State.
Nawani Aboki is a
Special Adviser on media and publicity to the Governor of Nasarawa State