The Biggest Challenge in the Peace Process Has Been the Politicians and the Political Parties- Fr. Atta Barkindo
Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre and Head of the National Peace Committee Secretariat, spoke openly about the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s peace efforts in the electoral process on Electoral Reform Hour. He didn’t mince words, saying bluntly, “The biggest challenge in the peace process has been the politicians and the political parties.” According to Father Atta, political leaders have often failed to address the real needs of the people, underestimating the depth of frustration across Nigeria. This disconnect, he explained, directly impacts trust in the system and fuels the country’s electoral tensions.
The Peace Committee has created two accords to address campaign conduct and acceptance of election results. But Fr. Atta admitted these measures are still limited. In the 2023 elections, for instance, violations of the peace accord were rampant, especially with fake news and inflammatory remarks flying. “There were massive, massive violations,” he emphasized. He noted that while the Peace Committee cannot enforce punishments, Nigerians must hold politicians’ feet to fire by demanding accountability, as the Committee’s mandate is strictly mediative and does not carry legal authority.
On voter apathy, Fr. Atta’s frustration was palpable. In a country of more than 200 million people, barely 8 million voted for the president, he said, calling out the trust deficit that has eaten into Nigerians’ faith in all institutions. He noted that while individuals may earn people’s trust, institutions themselves have lost credibility, leaving many Nigerians feeling disconnected and uninspired to vote.
Addressing the influence of money in elections, he pulled no punches. “The temptation to sell your vote, particularly for a government you don’t trust, is understandably high when economic hardships weigh heavily on citizens”. He called vote-buying and selling a symptom of a greater issue of dispossession, arguing that arresting people involved in vote-buying only treats the symptoms, not the root causes. For him, the problem runs far deeper, starting with systemic poverty and a lack of confidence that voting will bring change.
Looking ahead, Fr. Atta warned against constantly amending laws as a quick fix, calling instead for strict adherence to the laws already in place. He also voiced his support for independent candidacy, explaining that the current political system is so muddled up that parties lack meaningful ideologies, often parroting similar slogans but offering little real change.
In his closing thoughts, Fr. Atta urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, emphasizing that the country’s current state won’t define it forever. “The country we have now will not be the same country in 30, 40, 50 years,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preparing younger generations for a future Nigeria that can adapt and grow. His words reflect the need for meaningful change, accountability, and an electoral process that inspires trust and engagement from every Nigerian.