By Chigozie Effe
Judging by the unique role he played in 1999 when democracy was enthroned in Nigeria as the then Military Head of State by handing over the reins of power to the democratically elected President Olusegun Obasanjo, a civilian, and, subsequently his role at the just concluded 2015 elections as the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, one would readily call him a peace maker and, one whose sense of patriotism speaks volume.
That Nigeria today is apparently witnessing relative peace after the elections, despite the prophecies of doomsday sayers, is as a result of the role played by the Niger-state born retired general.
Abdulsalami, the author of the book, “Nigeria; A New Beginning,’’ whose influence as a statesman cuts across the length and breadth of the country, has over the years proven that he is indeed a statesman of international repute. He has been in the vanguard of promoting peace in different parts of the country, often urging politicians at different forum to eschew politics of calumny and violence.
Sequel to the breach of the January 14 Peace Accord earlier signed in Abuja by Buhari and Jonathan ahead of the general elections, Abdulsalami initiated another peace accord which was signed by the two major contenders on the 26th of March 2015, two days before the presidential polls.
The accord, under the watchful eyes of Abdulsalami, read in part ”Today, we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation’s history.”
“ We call on INEC and all Security Agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles” adding ”We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections”
The statement further added,” Now that the campaigns have come to an end; we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections. We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our supporters, to refrain from violence or any acts that may in any way jeopardize our collective vision of free, fair and credible elections”.
Time Nigeria gathered that the essence of the Peace Accord was to a large extent to avoid attacks and violence that led to the death of many Nigerians in different parts of the country at the 2011 general elections.
Save for his intervention as the Chairman of the Peace Committee at the 2015 election, the country would have gone into violence following the announcement of the results of the presidential poll which went in favour of the APC presidential standard bearer, General Muhammadu Buhari after three failed attempts.
It would be recalled that the Abdulsalami led committee, comprising of John Onaiyekan, Aliko Dangote and others had averted crises as the whole country was already tensed up.
At a conference recently organized by People’s Daily Newspaper in Abuja, Abdulsalami had said, “As political animals that we are, nothing seems to have gripped the imagination of Nigerians as the issue of the coming 2015 general elections which in my view is a watershed moment in the history of our dear country.
“The way we are able to handle this very important event will largely determine how successful we will be in our efforts at remaining a united, indivisible and stable country.
“Already, the fault lines are apparent and politicians are ready to exploit them to the fullest to achieve their sometimes not so noble objectives. The north is determined to have it back and its leaders are pulling all the stops to see that that happens.
“On the other hand, the body language of the incumbent president strongly suggests he wants another term in office.”
Abubakar warned that “the unfolding scenario may portend danger to our nation if Nigerians from all parts of the country do not close ranks and put to interest of the nation first.”
