The logic is straightforward, yet often ignored: if kidnapping, insurgency, and the nation’s spiraling security crisis are rooted in political grievances, then the remedy must be political, not military. Bullets cannot solve problems born in boardrooms and party headquarters. The solution lies in words, not war.
Winston Churchill famously said, “To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.” It is a simple truth: talking is always preferable to fighting. But for Nigeria, the initiative for this critical conversation cannot be left to chance. It must come from the very top—from the President himself.
This is not about negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists. That is a dead end. This is about a dialogue between the government and the opposition leaders. The people who shape the political landscape must be brought to the table. Every leader must be a peacemaker. We need peace, and our leaders must first show they want it.
Nigeria already has the machinery for this. Three key bodies exist to foster national harmony, yet they remain underutilized. The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), the National Peace Committee (NPC), and the National Council of State (NCS) are all designed to advise and mediate. The NCS, a constitutional creation, has met only twice since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023. A problem shared is a problem solved, but the council is not being used to share the nation’s burdens.
The NCS is a powerful advisory body. Its members include former presidents, heads of state, the Chief Justice, and all 36 state governors. It was first envisioned by General Murtala Muhammed in 1975 as a key organ of government. Today, it advises on everything from elections to public order. Yet, its meetings are too rare. Why the delay?
The National Peace Committee, formed in 2014 to calm tensions before the 2015 elections, is another vital tool. Led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar and packed with elder statesmen, it has the credibility to mediate. NIREC, established in 1999 to bridge the Christian-Muslim divide, also stands ready. Co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, it has a mandate to promote tolerance. But these bodies cannot act in a vacuum. They need presidential backing and a clear directive.
There is a powerful precedent. In 1979, President Shehu Shagari faced a deeply divided nation after a controversial election. He knew an accord was unnecessary in a presidential system—the Supreme Court had already ruled in his favor—but he reached out anyway. He invited all party leaders to a meeting. He appointed opposition members to key posts, like Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke as Speaker of the House. He sought to build a government of national unity.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo initially dismissed the move as a “political stunt,” but he attended. The meeting happened. The five party leaders agreed to cooperate. They issued a communique calling for fair media coverage and respect for the constitution. It was a moment of political maturity.
Nigeria needs that same courage today. The President must convene a meeting of all presidential candidates and their running mates, before or after the next election. They are all friends, after all. Such a meeting would reduce tension. No price is too high for peace.
We must search for peace as aggressively as we search for power. We need a system where peace is more rewarding than conflict. Nigeria is a beautiful country, and we all must play our part. We need each other.
