The Governor of Edo State, Godwin
Obaseki has urged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to adopt non-violent
solutions in pressing home their demands.
Obaseki made the recommendation
on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Non-Violence.
He advised the ‘dissenting’ group
to come to the roundtable, maintaining that “when everything else fails,
non-violent approach has proven to be reliable as it allows for continuous dialogue,
realignment of interests, open and frank conversations, endurance and
forgiveness of human mistakes and the conviction that our perceived critics
today, could become our most dependable allies and partners after honest
discussions.
“While several tactics such as
restiveness, arms struggle, bombings and hate-laden speeches, are being adopted
to push home these demands by the various agitators, evidence shows that the
best option to resolving such feelings of perceived marginalisation,
disaffection or discontent, is rooted in non-violence.”
Obaseki further said that the
late Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of
the philosophy and strategy of non-violence and in whose honour the day was
celebrated left a model for contemporary leaders to follow.
“Gandhi contributed to global
leadership models with his passive resistance or non-violence teaching, and
with it, he led Indian people to independence, without applying the principle
of an eye for an eye,” the governor said.
He stressed that “non-violence is
still a viable and potent conflict resolution model even today, and should be
explored by thought leaders and opinion moulders instead of the rush to
unconventional tactics that leave in their wake, deaths, sorrow, regrets and
debts.”
The commemoration of the
International Day of Non-violence was established by the United Nations General
Assembly Resolution in 2007 and it is an occasion to disseminate the message of
non-violence, including through education and public awareness.
According to the UN, “the
resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence
and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and
non-violence.”
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What a reasonable remark!
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ReplyDeleteThis happens to be the only governor who has made a very reasonable contribution to the issues of IPOB.
ReplyDeleteThe only major problems militating against the adoption of this great option is the worrisome silence and deaf ears our ruling class and leaders always pay to yearnings and complaints of the citizenry.
Example here is the recent case of Ibe Kachukwu and the NNPC boss. It is true that if the petition letter has not leaked to the public and social media, coupled with the various comments that followed, The president would still not have reacted to a serious letter of corruption concerns reported to him after one whole month. He has been avoiding addressing the issue with Kachukwu. But the presidency has made a swift move to meet now that it has become issue of public disgrace and criticism. What a country.
Has IPOB not been asking the government to address their agitations over a period of time??????. But to no avail.
Now it has turned sour, the FG started killing her citizens.
Why has the FG not found a lasting solution to the Fulani herdsmen until there was blood shed.
Mr. Obeseki sir, you are a wise man. please tell them if they will hear and stop putting the cart before the horse.