Rise In Conflicts Can Destabilise Nigeria, UK Warns

The United Kingdom has warned that the rise in conflicts could
destabilise Nigeria if urgent actions were not taken to address the
situation as the nation prepares for the 2023 elections.

The British government also blamed the crisis on injustice and
impunity as well as weak judicial institutions, insisting that the
conflict posed an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and
development.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Peace and
Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja on Thursday, the Development
Director, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr Chris
Beecroft, observed that peace and stability could be achieved when
the causes of conflict in society are managed through strong, fair,
and responsive governance mechanisms at community, state, or
federal level.

He said, “The rise in conflict risks destabilising Nigeria’s
democracy in the run-up to the 2023 elections. There is an active
insurgency in the North-East; farmer-herder conflicts are extending
across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the
South-East; and banditry in the North-West.

“Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope
and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential
threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.”

Beecroft explained that the use of the police and army would
only be part of the solution, as he called for greater emphasis on
reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice which
he described as vital components of a vibrant, resilient, and
effective social contract.

He identified the proliferation of small arms and weapons and
“the weaponisation of social media as drivers of conflict and
instability.”

The FCDO Director called for job creation for young Nigerians
“so they have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria,”
adding, however, that with the right commitment, dedications and
support, “there are solutions.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Governor of Ekiti
State, Kayode Fayemi noted that the spate of violence and
coordinated criminal activities have undermined government
authority and weakened public trust.

He stated, “The current security crisis in the country is caused
by several factors including an oversized population that the
government is unable to cope with, a large number of poor people
estimated at over 40 per cent of the population who are living
below $1 per day, and indeed, desertification which has affected
over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s land, as drought and climate change
has continued to aggravate land deterioration in the country.”

Former head of state and Chairman of National Peace Committee,
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), in his remarks, expressed worry
over what he called the instrumentalisation of violence, noting
that “violence has become a commodity in Nigeria.”

Abubakar, who was represented by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto
Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, argued that poverty was not
the cause of violence in Nigeria, noting China has about 300
million unemployed persons.

The United Kingdom has warned that the rise in conflicts could
destabilise Nigeria if urgent actions were not taken to address the
situation as the nation prepares for the 2023 elections.

The British government also blamed the crisis on injustice and
impunity as well as weak judicial institutions, insisting that the
conflict posed an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and
development.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Peace and
Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja on Thursday, the Development
Director, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Mr Chris
Beecroft, observed that peace and stability could be achieved when
the causes of conflict in society are managed through strong, fair,
and responsive governance mechanisms at community, state, or
federal level.

He said, “The rise in conflict risks destabilising Nigeria’s
democracy in the run-up to the 2023 elections. There is an active
insurgency in the North-East; farmer-herder conflicts are extending
across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the
South-East; and banditry in the North-West.

“Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope
and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential
threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.”

Beecroft explained that the use of the police and army would
only be part of the solution, as he called for greater emphasis on
reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice which
he described as vital components of a vibrant, resilient, and
effective social contract.

He identified the proliferation of small arms and weapons and
“the weaponisation of social media as drivers of conflict and
instability.”

The FCDO Director called for job creation for young Nigerians
“so they have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria,”
adding, however, that with the right commitment, dedications and
support, “there are solutions.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Governor of Ekiti
State, Kayode Fayemi noted that the spate of violence and
coordinated criminal activities have undermined government
authority and weakened public trust.

He stated, “The current security crisis in the country is caused
by several factors including an oversized population that the
government is unable to cope with, a large number of poor people
estimated at over 40 per cent of the population who are living
below $1 per day, and indeed, desertification which has affected
over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s land, as drought and climate change
has continued to aggravate land deterioration in the country.”

Former head of state and Chairman of National Peace Committee,
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), in his remarks, expressed worry
over what he called the instrumentalisation of violence, noting
that “violence has become a commodity in Nigeria.”

Abubakar, who was represented by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto
Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, argued that poverty was not
the cause of violence in Nigeria, noting China has about 300
million unemployed persons.