Probe agitations in polity, Ayim urges President

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately institute a comprehensive probe into the violent and non-violent agitations in the country.

In an open letter yesterday to the Nigerian leader, Anyim specifically asked that a commission of inquiry be set up to review the cases.

“I make bold to recommend that Mr. President should make history by empanelling another commission of inquiry to investigate the violent and non-violent agitations in Nigeria and make recommendations on the immediate-, short and long-term solutions as a way of first de-escalating the rising tension in the land and a process for the renewal of our march to nationhood,” he added.

The ex-Senate president went on: “In a democracy, no action is deemed successful or completed until the buy-in-of the people is secured through a democratic process.”

Enumerating the benefits of the proposed panel, he added:
“It is a natural governmental process of addressing challenges of public importance. The report of such a commission would put in proper perspective and provide basis for further action.”

The one-time Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) pointed out: “The commission of inquiry would offer the citizenry the opportunity and platform to share their concerns and be heard. This helps to build confidence and reduce animosity and mutual suspicion.

The body, according to him, “would identify the immediate and remote causes of the current challenges and provide a framework for their resolution.”

He continued: “Such a commission would aim not only to unravel the remote and immediate causes, but also determine the various dimensions and define them accordingly. For instance, democratic agitations would be separated from violent crimes to the understanding of all. It will also capture the reasons for the agitations and the justice thereto.”

Anyim added that the panel would develop a roadmap at addressing the struggles.

“Such roadmap used as a national reference document would guide further interactions and process for implementation

“Such document would be the foundation for a new Nigeria anchored on negotiated settlement derived from the legitimacy bestowed by citizen’s participation and the credibility of the commission,” he said.