The Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) representing Benue State, James Oche, has called for the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms across Nigeria to address conflicts and curb the protracted nature and high cost of conventional litigation. Speaking after the Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference 2026, which took place on Thursday, October 15 at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, Oche emphasized that these accessible and affordable ADR options are especially vital for citizens who may lack the financial resources to pursue lengthy legal battles.
Oche highlighted Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and political composition as making it essential to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for managing disagreements and preventing conflicts from escalating into crises. He described the Ombudsman institution as a vital tool for promoting peaceful coexistence, justice, accountability, and harmonious relationships among individuals, communities, and government institutions. By strengthening ADR through the Ombudsman, he noted, dialogue would be encouraged, mutual understanding fostered, unnecessary litigation reduced, and public confidence in government institutions enhanced.
The Benue Commissioner further stressed the Ombudsman’s relevance in addressing complaints that border on administrative injustice, abuse of authority, maladministration, and disputes between citizens and public institutions. He urged stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to embrace the Ombudsman as a credible platform for resolving grievances peacefully and fairly, rather than allowing disagreements to degenerate into prolonged disputes that could undermine national development.
Oche also commended the Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Rt. Hon. Bashir Abubakar, for sustaining the annual conference and improving its quality and relevance over the years. He praised Abubakar’s leadership and commitment to strengthening the Commission’s role in protecting citizens against administrative injustice and promoting fairness in public service delivery.
The Benue Commissioner reaffirmed the need to strengthen the Ombudsman institution as part of broader efforts to build a peaceful, just, and accountable Nigeria. He maintained that effective deployment of ADR mechanisms would help resolve existing disputes, prevent avoidable conflicts, deepen citizens’ trust in public institutions, and contribute to national unity and development.
In closing, Oche 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.
