The Honourable Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), representing Benue State, Mr. James Oche, has advocated the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as an effective, accessible, and affordable approach to resolving conflicts and crises in Nigeria. Oche made the call while speaking after the Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference 2026, held on Thursday, October 15, at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
Oche described the Ombudsman institution as a vital instrument for promoting peaceful coexistence, justice, accountability, and harmonious relationships among individuals, communities, and government institutions. He noted that the Ombudsman provides a healthy alternative to conventional dispute resolution mechanisms by offering services that are free, accessible, and just, particularly for citizens who may lack the financial resources to pursue prolonged legal battles.
The Benue State Federal Commissioner emphasized that Nigeria, given its diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and political composition, requires sustainable mechanisms for managing disagreements and preventing conflicts from escalating into crises. According to him, strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution through the Ombudsman institution would promote dialogue, encourage mutual understanding, reduce unnecessary litigation, and foster public confidence in government institutions.
He further stressed that the accessibility and affordability of the Ombudsman make the institution particularly relevant in addressing grievances involving administrative injustice, abuse of authority, maladministration, and disputes between citizens and public institutions. He urged stakeholders across the public and private sectors to embrace the Ombudsman as a credible platform for resolving complaints peacefully and fairly, rather than allowing disagreements to degenerate into protracted disputes capable of undermining national development.
The conference attracted distinguished personalities and stakeholders from across Nigeria and the international community. Among those invited were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku; representatives of foreign missions; heads of government agencies; members of the academia; traditional rulers; and other prominent stakeholders. Their participation underscored the significance of the Ombudsman institution in advancing good governance, administrative accountability, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Oche also expressed profound appreciation to the Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Rt. Hon. Bashir Abubakar, for sustaining the annual Nigerian Ombudsman Conference and consistently improving its quality and relevance over the years. He commended the Chief Commissioner’s leadership and commitment to strengthening the Commission as an institution dedicated to protecting citizens against administrative injustice and promoting fairness in public service delivery.
The Benue State Federal Commissioner reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the Ombudsman institution as part of broader efforts to build a peaceful, just, and accountable Nigeria. He maintained that effective deployment of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms would not only help resolve existing disputes but also prevent avoidable conflicts, deepen citizens’ trust in public institutions, and contribute significantly to national unity and development. He called on governments, institutions, community leaders, and citizens to support the Ombudsman’s mandate and embrace dialogue, fairness, and justice as enduring foundations for peaceful coexistence.
