Election Violence – Jonathan Gives Lemu Panel Six Weeks to Deliver

Leadership (Abuja)

George Agba

12 May 2011

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed the presidential panel on pre-election violence in Akwa Ibom State as well as the civil unrest in some states following the 2011 presidential poll to conclude their investigation and submit their reports within six weeks.

The president’s directive came just as the panel chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Lemu tendered what it described as two substantive requests before the president: effective security for its members and effective measures to forestall interference from any quarters.

Jonathan, while inaugurating the presidential panel in the council chambers at the presidential villa, spelt out five terms of reference for them to carry out their job.

He said: “The panel has the following terms of reference: 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 properties 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;

“To examine any other matter incidental or relevant to the unrest and advise government as appropriate.”

Expressing confidence in the membership of the panel to do a thorough job, the president said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I must place on record the fact that this panel of eminent Nigerians has been constituted after a careful consideration of all relevant factors. The chairman and members are distinguished Nigerians with unquestionable antecedents of integrity, resourcefulness, patriotism, probity and commitment to equity and justice.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that they will bring a synergy of their collective experience and demonstrable diligence to bear on this crucial national assignment. It is my expectation that they will conclude their assignment and submit their reports within six weeks.”

On his part, chairman of the panel, Lemu, while praying the president for adequate security, said: “I have two substantive requests to make on behalf of the members and that is effective security in view of the skepticism of some political parties and assumption of witch-hunting. Consequently I request Mr. President again for effective measures to forestall interference by anybody from any quarters.

“For every member has integrity in the eyes of God and man to protect. Some of us like myself have already collected their respective boarding passes at the age of 82, sitting in the departure lounge awaiting for the call to board the plane with the hope of their destination to be at yonder, Insha Allah.

“Once again, I thank you Mr. President and all the members of your government for the confidence reposed in us by this appointment and solemnly promise that, Insha Allah, God willing, we shall live up to the highest expectation of the Nigerian nation. Once more, thank you very much and may God bless all of you.”

AllAfrica – All the Time