The world has witnessed landmark peace declarations, such as the London Declaration of 1949, that gave birth to the emergence of the Modern Commonwealth of Nations. That declaration was signed by eight countries as independent and equal members. That was in the early days of the Commonwealth of Nations. The London Declaration was signed amid the Second World War, but guess what? It was signed in search of peace and the protection of the interests of member nations.
Similarly, another peace declaration was that of the European Union. That declaration ushered in a united Europe. At the end of the Second World War, Europe was in ruin and ashes. European countries were mortal enemies, with Germany being the worst enemy of all, bearing in mind that the country under Hitler had brought death and destruction to the whole world. But the birth of the European idea paved the way for a lasting reconciliation and the integration of Germany back into the fold of democracies. In 1957, the foundation of the European Economic Community and European Union was laid with only six members. These declarations were all products of war and strife, wars that led to the monumental destruction of Europe.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in September 2011, former US President Barack Obama, in his speech titled “Peace is Hard, but We Know That It is Possible,” captured why conflicts pervade and why reconciliation is not distant as well. According to him, “conflict and repression will endure so long that some people refuse to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Yet that is precisely why we have built institutions like this—to bind our fates together, to help us recognise ourselves in each other—because those who came before us believed that peace is preferable to war, freedom is preferable to suppression, and prosperity is preferable to poverty. That’s the message that comes not from capitals but from citizens, from our people. Peace is hard, but we know it is possible. So together, let us be resolved to see that it is defined by our hopes and not by our fears. Together, let us make peace, but Peace that, most importantly, will last.”
These landmark pronouncements captured the spirit, passion, philosophy, targets, and essence of the Bende Peace Declaration of December 29, 2023. It was a historical declaration that defined loud and clear, devoid of any ambiguity, the position of Ndigbo that peace must return to the Southeast. It was a commitment to peace by a people, and their leadership was tired of the goings on in their land and wanted to put an end to the security disasters that have plagued the region for far too long.
The Bende Peace Declaration took place during the Homecoming Grand Reception organised in honour of Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the formal unveiling of the Peace in the Southeast Project (PISE-P). The events took place at the Bende Sports Arena, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Organised by the team of PISE-P with the support of the people of Bende, PISE-P is a pacific project seeking to end the protracted insecurity challenges bedevilling the Southeast through a non-kinetic strategy. The project seeks reconciliation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the region, which is considered by President Tinubu to be a vital economic powerhouse and an integral pillar of Nigeria’s economy.
The Bende Declaration was a peace affirmation made on behalf of the people of the region by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti. He made it in the presence of the Federal Government led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubrin Barau, was there on behalf of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, along with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. All the Governors of Southeast, past and present, traditional royal fathers, such as the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Chairman of the Occasion), the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by his son, the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayaro, and Oba Barrister Rufus Olarewaju, Ajayi Ogidi Olu Arilewola 11, Oba of Ogbomina Ekiti Tapa kingdom, Ekiti State, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, were present at the event.
Similarly, in attendance were notable figures from various sectors, including Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All-Progressive Congress, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and past and present members of the National and State Assemblies. The gathering also included successful business tycoons, with over 10 billionaires present, such as Mr. Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, Oil, and Energy Magnet; Chief Emeka Offor; Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airline; Chief SC Okafor, Chairman and founder of Chicason Group of companies; Dr. Godbless Iruani, Owner of Azikel Group; the Managing Director of Nepal Energies; Ngozi Ekeoma; Chief Atan Achonu; and Senator Chris Adighije. Other attendees were former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, members of the Abia State Executive Council and Traditional Rulers, top military brass and police officers of the country, and the media, amongst others.
As the crowd repeated each line of the pledge, Otti announced, “We, the people of the Southeast, hereby declare that peace is our foremost priority as a region. We believe that peace is essential for prosperity and progress. It is a catalyst that drives growth in all sectors of the economy and ignites hope for future generations. We declare that peace is better, and we affirm this on this day, the 29th of December 2023, in Bende, Bende Local Government of Abia State, in the presence of the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So help us, God.”
The Bende declaration was a shared vision for a harmonious and prosperous Igbo land, a momentous occasion where the region, in the presence of and in unity with the Federal Government of Nigeria, affirmed their dedication to fostering a future free from fear and conflict in the region.
The declaration echoes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who, while accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, stated that peace “transforms pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. If this is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method that rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum spoke on behalf of the group backing the Southeast Declaration. According to him, the governors in the zone were fully committed to efforts towards restoring peace to the zone. He thanked President Tinubu and the Vice President for their affection for Ndigbo, pledging that Ndigbo will continue to relate well with other parts of the country for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
The significance of this declaration proves that, despite adversity, Ndigbo and indeed Nigerians must rise above differences, transcend boundaries, and forge a collective path towards sustainable peace in Igboland.
Undoubtedly, true peace is not merely the absence of violence but also the presence of justice, equality, and the empowerment of every individual in a community. This explains why PISE-P chooses dialogue over discord, understanding over ignorance, and compassion over hostility. It is a commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means, acknowledging the diversity that enriches our community, and building bridges that unite rather than walls that divide. The project also recognises the importance of inclusivity and vows to involve all stakeholders, regardless of background, in the decision-making processes that shape the collective destiny of Ndigbo.
With this declaration, work commences on fence-mending. With this historic pronouncement, the workshop of conversation with the aggrieved parties should be activated, and the root cause should be identified and handled through peaceful negotiation.
This declaration will not hold much weight unless the Federal Government shows its willingness to release Nnamdi Kalu from custody as a gesture of its genuine commitment to the Southeast Peace Project. The political settlement will help to eliminate any misunderstandings and reaffirm the government’s seriousness and dedication towards the project. To the combatant Igbo youths, it is time to sheathe the swords as talks for amnesty are initiated.
The people of the region have suffered enough of the economic and socio-political impacts of the crises, as captured succinctly in the address of President Tinubu when he stated emphatically, “The current economic stagnation has shaken the foundation of the region, and we are not going to sit back and watch the fire consume them. We are here to extinguish the fire.
Referring to Simon Ekpa, who persistently orders Sit-at-Home from his base in Finland, with brutal enforcement, President Tinubu said, “They can’t stay in their comfort zones and cause our citizens to sit at home. They are counting down to the end of their economic sabotage. We are here to guarantee the return of peace and economic life to the Southeast. We declare that enough is enough. We are determined to utilise all available resources to ensure that the peace we establish in this region is not cosmetic.”.
Let this declaration resonate in the hearts and minds of Ndigbo, young and old. Let it inspire us to be the architects of a society where justice prevails and the aspirations of every individual are realised. Together, we embark on a journey towards a brighter tomorrow, leaving behind the shadows of insecurity and crises that have plagued our region for too long.
Both the Commonwealth and European Union Peace Declarations prevailed; let the Bende Peace Declaration triumph.
