On Tuesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the best option to end the insecurity in the Southeast is a non-kinetic approach, unless the country wants to engage in an endless war of attrition.
Senator Shettima said the most atrocious of wars are, at the end of the day, sorted out on the negotiation table.
Recall that the Southeast has been battling with separatist agitation by the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which has a militant group, Eastern Security Network, ESN.
IPOB has been agitating against the alleged marginalization of the Southeast, especially by former President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The Vice President stated this when he received a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
The delegation, under the auspices of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) visited the VP to present the initiative and invite him for the launch of the project that proposes a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East region.
Speaking after a brief introduction of the new initiative, the Vice President endorsed the concept, noting that the “approach is the most beautiful I have seen so far.
“We need to build bridges, there is a need for a handshake, that way, those that have not been radicalized can be captured,” he added.
VP Shettima further explained the wisdom of adopting a non-kinetic approach in addressing the security situation in the South East, saying it would save the region from endless war.
He stated: “Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East must be explored and deployed. The most atrocious of wars are at the end of the day sorted out on the negotiation table.
“It is how you build bridges that will determine how far you go as a people and society. We have to reach out to the youths; we have to empower them. Once we empower them, the crisis, the agitation and insecurity will vanish”.
Earlier in his address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kalu, reiterated the call for a non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges facing the South East region.
“We understand that many zones in the country face similar security challenges,” he said. “However, PISE-P proposes a non-kinetic approach to address these issues that have impacted the economy of the South East and Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed the urgency of finding solutions, just as he said, “We cannot ignore these challenges; we must face them head-on. The current situation has severely affected our lives and our sense of unity.”
Kalu expressed optimism that the Peace in South East Project could bring hope to the region, similar to how other parts of the country have seen improvement.
He emphasized the need for new solutions, acknowledging that past approaches have not yielded the desired results.
Kalu highlighted the importance of addressing the sociological factors contributing to the unrest, expressing the belief that a non-kinetic approach, focusing on changing the narrative and reorienting the minds of the people, can be more effective.
“We want to start a conversation that helps change the perception and mindset in the South East,” he explained, adding that “this cannot be achieved through guns and violence.”
The Deputy Speaker emphasized the need for initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, even as he acknowledged the government’s limitations and stressed the importance of collaborating with development partners under the Peace in South East Project.
Members of the delegation included Hin. Leko Gambo, member representing Dass/Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State; Hon. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, member representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta State; Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, member representing Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency of Delta State; Hon. Bukar Talba, member representing the Monguno / Nganzai /Marte Federal Constituency of Borno State; Hon Emeka Wogu, former Minister of Labour and Productivity; Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mr Elton Onwu.
