Leadership (Abuja)
Emmanuel Bello
4 January 2009
Abuja — General John Shagaya (retd) has said that both President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Governor Jonah David Jang erred in the process of setting up probe panels to probe into the Jos crisis, thereby deepening the rift between the Federal and Plateau State governments. He also slammed those who use the term "settlers" in reference to non-indigenous people living in their domains. He said the word is a misnomer in the light of the nation's constitution, even as he hoped that the upcoming constitution amendment would look into the issue.
On the probe panels, Shagaya, a former internal affairs minister in the Babangida military government, noted that Yar'Adua and Jang should have acted "more maturely" in the process of setting up the committees.
The Federal Government recently set up a probe panel headed by Emmanuel Abisoye - a panel that was rejected by the Plateau State government. The state has since constituted its own parallel panel headed by Prince Bola Ajibola, even as it has dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court.
The stalemate has thrown Jos into a fresh haze of confusion as it has continued to generate debates among legal practitioners.
But Shagaya, currently a senator from the state, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that both Yar'Adua and Jang should have consulted each other before constituting probe panels.
He said: "My personal feeling on that whole issue is that both men wanted the best for the state. They did not cause the problem in the first place and they are only interested in getting a solution. But what stops them from meeting to harmonise their positions and work together?"
He, noted however, noted that Yar'Adua "as the commander- in-chief has the right to seek the protection of the lives of people over whom he is presiding.
"In this case, we can say that the president has that power to see to the deployment of troops and other security matters affecting any part of Nigeria. I see no reason why there should not have been serious consultations between both parties on this, a sort of collaborative efforts on their part."
He said there were no settlers in the state and accused those who use such terms of deepening parochial tendencies.
His words: "I believe it is time we overcame our ancient prejudices of labelling others out of fear and other such feelings. The constitution of our country does not label anyone a settler. There might be non-indigenous people in other parts of the country, but that does not make them settlers. You know that, for instance, the Tarok people are from here in Plateau, but there are Tarok people even in Kano State who are living there. They should be allowed to live like decent Nigerians everywhere."
Shagaya noted further that apart from the monarchy and traditional institutions, Nigerians should be able to pursue their economic and political dreams anywhere they find themselves.
He said: "I don't know what some people are talking about. There are no settlers anywhere. What we have are non-indigenes who can steer clear of the traditional institution of the places they reside in. But beyond that, they can choose to seek political offices. In Jos here, both Yoruba and Ibo have had elective positions. The Lamidis are still here."
He said the victory of Barack Obama at the United States polls should have taught Nigerians that it was time to "throw away prejudices".
On religion, he said that it had never been an issue: "Religion is not an issue with our people until scheming politicians made it look so. My father started a church in 1928 at Gombe. The place is where you have the soldier barracks today at Gombe. My father was preaching among Fulani and Hausa people and even converted some. So what are we saying? People just want to hide behind religion to make up for their inadequacies."
He also decried the use of the term "mercenaries".
"As a soldier and an officer who has been involved in peacekeeping process all over the world, I say this with the utmost sense of responsibility. I think we should be careful in terming some people mercenaries. The probe panels should take this seriously, because it is only here we use terms such as this and 'refugees' carelessly."
He said the crisis in Jos should not be separated from the overall crisis in various parts of Nigeria and the globe. He noted that there is nothing peculiar about it and that peace and normalcy will return to the Plateau.
During the crisis, the police alleged that they had arrested over 500 armed mercenaries who came in from neighbouring towns and states. Yesterday, the police in Jos claimed they had arrested 26 mercenaries who came in from Bauchi State.
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