“Act Now for a Peaceful Cross River”: A Call to Bridge the Gap Between Institutions and Action
As the global community marks the 2025 International Day of Peace under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” the Cross River State Chapter of the Partners for Peace (P4P) in the Niger Delta calls on the Government of Cross River State to urgently bridge the glaring lacuna in its conflict management infrastructure to stem the tide of violent conflicts assuming lethal dimensions across the state.
While we acknowledge the existence of a framework for peacebuilding, including the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Department of Peace and Conflict Resolution, multiple State Security Advisers, BORDACOM and officials at the Local Government level, the persistent and devastating conflicts in our state reveal a critical disconnect between these institutions and effective, on-the-ground peace and security.
The recent and tragic escalation of violence between communities in Obubra and Ikom, which has reportedly led to the loss of numerous soldier and civilian lives, is a stark and painful reminder that a structure on paper does not automatically translate to peace in practice. This incident is not isolated but symptomatic of a systemic failure to proactively manage and resolve conflicts before they erupt into full-blown violence.
It is a profound paradox that despite the proliferation of offices and titles dedicated to peace and security, our communities continue to bleed. This indicates that the current infrastructure is either ineffective, inefficient, or fundamentally uncoordinated, leading to a dangerous vacuum in timely conflict mitigation.
On this International Day of Peace, we, therefore, call on His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, to:
1. Initiate an Immediate Audit and Review: Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing conflict management infrastructure to identify points of failure, duplication of roles, and gaps in coordination and response.
2. Prioritize Proactive, Community-Driven Early Warning and Response Systems: Move beyond reactive measures. Invest in and empower local community networks, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to serve as the first line of defense in identifying and reporting conflict triggers.
3. Foster Synergy and Clear Mandates: Ensure clear lines of authority and communication between the numerous state actors (Deputy Governor’s office, Security Advisers, LGA Vice-Chairmen) and federal institutions (Police, NSCDC, Military) to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks during crises.
4. Collaborate with civil society sector (CSO) for sustainable approach to conflict management and peace building
5. Facilitate the development of a state peace policy, which would complement the existing legal frameworks
6. Invest in Sustainable Dialogue and Reconciliation: Commit resources to facilitated, sustained Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes in ongoing conflict hotspots, focusing on addressing the root causes of disputes rather than merely managing their symptoms.
A peaceful world begins with peaceful communities. We cannot “Act Now for a Peaceful World” while our home is in flames. We urge the State Government to act now, not just with words, but with decisive and structural action to rebuild a conflict management system that is truly fit for purpose.
The people of Cross River State deserve peace. It is the primary dividend of democracy and the foundation upon which true development is built.
Signed:
Eteng, Eteng E.,
State Coordinator, Partners for Peace (P4P), Cross River State Chapter
Dr. Efio-Ita Effiom Nyok, aicmc
State Chair, International Day of Peace Committee 2025, Partners for Peace (P4P), Cross River State Chapter
About Partners for Peace (P4P): Partners for Peace (P4P) is a network of civil society organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta region. The Cross River Chapter works tirelessly to advocate for conflict transformation, community dialogue, and people-centered security architecture.
