Abstract:
Since the return to democratic governance in 1999, violent conflicts around identities
including religion, ethnicity, indigene/settler differentiation and resource control remain a
challenge to peace in Nigeria. Thus far, responses of government lack a normative
framework to motivate consistent intervention and foster peace. While the 1999 Constitution
identifies peace as a common aspiration, there is a deficit of a non-adversarial institutional
mechanism to address violent identity related conflicts in Nigeria. Despite its limited
relevance, the visible institution for conflict management is the court. This article argues the
need for the establishment of a panel of the wise, a conflict and peace intervention
mechanism, as an “essential” for Nigerian constitution. It then explores key considerations in
terms of the composition, functions and legal status of intervention of the proposed panel for
the management of violent conflicts associated with identity and fostering peace in Nigeria.
