The Plateau State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Veterinary and Fisheries, Dr. Sunday Akpa, has called for increased community-driven approaches to resolving farmer-herder conflicts, emphasizing dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence as key to lasting peace.
Dr. Akpa made this known while speaking at a multi-level and multi-sectoral roundtable on sustainable peace infrastructure held at Novel Suites in Jos. The event, themed “Addressing Farmer-Herder Conflicts in the Context of Criminality and Land Disputes,” was organized by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) in collaboration with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA), with support from GIZ under the Peacecore II Project.
The Commissioner downplayed the widespread perception of farmer-herder conflicts, describing many of the incidents as localized disputes that have traditionally been resolved within communities.
According to him, “These issues are often exaggerated. In many cases, they are local misunderstandings that can be addressed through dialogue at the community level. We must return to those traditional mechanisms of resolving conflicts.”
He stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved when communities take ownership of conflict resolution processes and embrace reconciliation.
Dr. Akpa further highlighted the importance of public enlightenment, noting that the government is intensifying efforts through town hall engagements and awareness campaigns to educate citizens on peaceful coexistence and the economic opportunities within the livestock sector.
“There is a lot of wealth to be created in the livestock industry. People need to understand the value chains and find areas where they can participate productively rather than engage in conflict,” he added.
Stakeholders Emphasize Collaboration
The roundtable brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and security agencies, to explore practical solutions to the persistent conflicts affecting communities in Plateau State.
In his welcome address, Country Manager of HD, Dr. Chris Agoha, underscored the complexity of farmer-herder conflicts, linking them to broader issues such as land disputes, climate change, banditry, and political interference.
He warned that the growing involvement of criminal elements—including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and illegal arms proliferation—has deepened insecurity across the Middle Belt region.
Peacecore II Project Records Gains
Also speaking, National Expert Adviser of HD Nigeria, Sam Godongs, outlined key achievements of the Peacecore II Project, noting that it has strengthened coordination among peace actors across Plateau State.
He disclosed that the project has facilitated 18 local-level agreements, 10 zonal agreements, and two frameworks with local government chairmen, while also promoting inclusive participation, particularly among women.
Godongs added that the project has helped institutionalize peacebuilding efforts by aligning stakeholders under the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, enhancing early warning systems and coordinated responses to conflict.
He also identified political activities, especially during election periods, as triggers for violence, citing youth manipulation, drug abuse, and intense political rivalry as contributing factors.
PSPBA Reaffirms Commitment
Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, Kyenmun Bulus reiterated the agency’s commitment to promoting sustainable peace through inclusive and coordinated approaches.
She described the roundtable as a critical platform for stakeholders to share experiences and develop actionable solutions to conflicts rooted in land access, identity, and livelihoods.
Interactive Panels Explore Solutions
The event featured two highly interactive panel discussions. The first examined stakeholder contributions toward enhancing peace and social cohesion across the state, while the second focused on community-led actions and structures for resolving conflicts and addressing insecurity.
Hope for Lasting Peace
Participants expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration, improved coordination, and sustained dialogue would help build a more peaceful and resilient Plateau State.
The roundtable forms part of ongoing efforts under the Peacecore II Project to develop sustainable peace infrastructure and promote long-term stability in conflict-affected communities.
Some members of Accord party on Tuesday staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, Abuja, demanding immediate recognition of Prof. Christopher Imumolen as the party’s National Chairman.
The protesters, who thronged the commission’s office with placards and a formal petition, called on INEC to comply with subsisting court orders affirming Imumolen’s leadership and to update its records accordingly
Speaking during the protest, Imumolen, a former presidential candidate of the party, expressed frustration over what he called INEC’s reluctance to enforce judicial decisions.
He said that the commission, as a regulatory body, must remain neutral and uphold the rule of law.
“We have not come here to cause any problem, but to speak because it seems INEC has not been listening.
“INEC should not be found supporting one faction over another, especially when there is a court order giving direction on what to do. A court order is not advisory; it is meant to be obeyed,” Imumolen said.
He queried INEC for complying with similar court orders regarding other parties, such as African Democratic Congress (ADC), while failing to do so for Accord.
He said that in spite of several court orders and petitions submitted to INEC, it had continued to recognise the Maxwell Mgbudem-led faction.
“We have submitted numerous letters and court proceedings to INEC, yet their website still reflects another person as chairman. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he stated.
Imumolen alleged that the Mgbudem-led faction had been illegally removing state chairmen supporting the court-mandated leadership.
“INEC is under a constitutional obligation to obey valid court orders. If there is any claim that the order has expired, the critical question remains: why was it not obeyed while it was subsisting?
“Had INEC complied accordingly, Prof. Chris Imumolen would have been duly reflected on the INEC website as national chairman, pending any application by Mr Maxwell Mdubem to vacate the order which, till date, has not been vacated,’’ he said.
He said that the demands of the protesters, as stated in the petition, included calls for the immediate recognition and formal listing of Imumolen as the national chairman on the INEC website.
“We hereby demand that INEC immediately recognise Chris Imumolen as national chairman in full compliance with subsisting court orders; and cease recognition of Mdubem, as no court order authorises such recognition.
“All duly elected state chairmen, who emerged through valid congresses and whose tenures remain subsisting, must also be recognised by INEC without prejudice,’’ he said.
The affected states, according to him, include: Zamfara, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Nasarawa, FCT, Edo, Delta, Benue, Oyo, Plateau and Kwara.
Imumolen called on INEC to immediately comply with all subsisting court orders, as issued by competent courts of jurisdiction.
“Court orders are meant to be obeyed—not ignored, not delayed and certainly not selectively applied.
“We trust that INEC will act swiftly to correct these anomalies and uphold the sanctity of the law,’’ he said.
He warned that failure to act accordingly risks placing INEC in direct conflict with judicial authorities and constitutional order.
“If laws are not obeyed, then should we take humanity into our hands? No, we will not. But if the court has decided, you follow it,” Imumolen said.
He also alleged that Mdubem had continued to deploy institutional mechanisms to intimidate and victimise duly-elected state chairmen who did not align with his claim to leadership.
INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, while addressing the protesters, said that the commission would consider the petition they submitted.
“I have listened to what you have said. I have received some communication by you. I will forward this to the commission and it will look into whatever it is there and act appropriately,’’ Zuru said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
