45. It is therefore Respondents humble submission that, from documented facts and
from report of the Seik Ahmed Lemu post-election panel facts, no group or people
of a particular religious adherent will claim “sole victims” of the crisis. In
furtherance of the Federal Government’s concern for the welfare of the citizenry, the
Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Panel was set up shortly after the 2011 post-election crisis, to
enquire into the root cause and outcome of the post-election violence and to make
recommendations that will help forestall future occurrences.
46. Respondents submit that, with all these steps taken by the Federal Government,
it would not be out of place to say that the Federal Government had taken giant steps
in addressing the situation and also preventing a re-occurrence of the crisis especially
by setting up the Sheikh Lemu Committee. It therefore cannot reasonably be said
that the Federal Government reneged on her obligation to her citizens. By the
admission of the Applicants in their originating processes, the 1st Respondent set up
many high powered Committees to investigate the post-election crisis which
engulfed some parts of the Country in 2011. They submit that a Government that is
not alive to her responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the lives and property
of her citizens will not take such step.
47. The result of this committee was the White Paper on the Report of the Federal
Government Investigation Panel on the 2011 Election Violence and Civil
Disturbances dated August 2012, which the Applicant has annexed to their
Application as Exhibit 26 in this matter. The committee identified some root causes
and made some recommendations. The Federal Government has also enforced many
of the recommendations made which include:
a. That there should be security agencies manning all vulnerable and flashpoints as
lack of security was the major cause of the post-election violence.
b. That Government should intensify efforts in monitoring activities in mosques and
churches such that inflammatory sermons are avoided and contained. Also that intra
and inter religious committees should be strengthened to ensure compliance with the
guidelines on religious activities.
c. That the Federal and State Government should collaborate to establish large farm
settlements and develop agricultural and agro-allied industrial development
programmes, to address the crucial questions of economic development, youth
unemployment, youth restiveness and social security.
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