In an early morning Independence Day broadcast to the nation, Jonathan said that the committee, which would have Dr. Femi Okurounmu as its Chairperson and Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa as Secretary, would complete its assignment within one month. The two top officials of the committee are not new to Nigerian politics.
Okurounmu is a former senator for Ogun Central Constituency on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2003. A former commissioner in the Ogun State Ministry of Works, he ran for re-election in 2003 but was defeated by the current Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, then of the People’s Democratic Party. Okurounmu was later appointed Secretary General of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.
During a February 2006 public hearing on amendments to the constitution which would allow President Olusegun Obasanjo to run for a third term, Okurounmu presented the position of the Afenifere faction led by Rueben Fasoranti, stating that Nigeria should still maintain two terms of four years. He vehemently said that the third term agenda of Obasanjo was not a Yoruba agenda but that of the president.
In May 2010 during the clamour by some political leaders from the North that based on the zoning arrangement in the PDP, the presidents alternate between South and North every two terms, Okurounmu said such a position was ridiculous and supported the right of Jonathan to seek election following his conclusion of the Presidency of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The secretary of the committee, Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa, is a former Special Adviser (Political Matters) to Jonathan, first as vice president, acting president and president. He was dropped after Jonathan reconstituted his cabinet after being sworn into office for a full term following the 2011 presidential elections.
A source told The Guardian that the word ‘sovereign’ was conspicuously missing from the President’s speech to remove unnecessary controversy from the pronouncement and in deference to the position of the National Assembly, especially that of Senate President David Mark, who was aware of the coming presidential announcement on the issue.
The Guardian had on September 15, 2013 reported exclusively on Jonathan’s plan to convoke a national conference to douse political tension ahead of the 2015 presidential elections. The President had to cave in to the groundswell of opinion on the issue. The last major group to reach out to him on the issue was a configuration of political leaders from the South-East and South-South geo-political zones who prevailed on him to wield it as master stroke that would put a stop to the crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the political instability in the country.
The group, made up of hardcore supporters of the President, said the immediate convocation of a sovereign national conference among the 389 ethnic nationalities would douse the tension in the polity and cause combatants in the political arena to pause and think as all component groups in the country take advantage of the platform, where the basis of Nigeria’s existence will be “fully discussed and agreed.”
They advised the President that in case his convoking such a national dialogue makes it difficult for him to run for a second term in 2015, he should work to hand over to a president from either the Middle Belt (North-Central) or the South-East geo-political zone.
The national dialogue is seen within the Presidency as a way of putting to a stop the “blackmail and balkanisation” of the PDP, and give the President “the needed plans b and c whereby he would shame his critics and stop the domination of presidential politics by any group or region.”
In his national broadcast, Jonathan said: “Fellow Nigerians, our administration has taken cognisance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a national dialogue on the future of our beloved country. When there are issues that constantly stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss. In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an advisory committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a national dialogue or conference. The committee will also design a frame-work and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process. The full membership of the committee will be announced shortly. I expect its report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the dialogue.”
The President urged Nigerians to remain fully committed to building a strong, united, progressive and prosperous nation despite existing challenges.
He added: “In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles we face. History has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now. The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialised or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victories we snatch from the jaws of possible defeat. This is a time to pull together behind the national cause: the cause of our freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat and every lover of peace in this great nation continues to live in a free, peaceful and secure Nigeria.”
Against the background of recent terrorist atrocities in the country, Jonathan re-affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to taking all necessary action to bring the war against domestic terrorism to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.
“My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I re-assure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people to live without fear. I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever political party you support – let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”
The President rededicated himself ‘completely’ to the service of the nation, assuring Nigerians that the country would not fail under his leadership.
“As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility and the next generation, not the next election. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition. This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union,” Jonathan said.
He congratulated all Nigerians as the nation marks 53 years of independence.
“If we look back over the years, we can confidently say that there is every reason to celebrate. The past 53 years have seen Nigeria evolve on an epic scale. I want to thank all our country men and women who have stood by this administration in the midst of mounting challenges and enormous expectations. I recognise that it is not easy to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged. But let me assure you that if we do not despair, we shall reap the reward of our labour in due season,” Jonathan concluded.
Governor of Niger State and chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, says that despite pronouncements of some Nigerians, the northern part of the country is not opposed to the convocation of a national conference to discuss problems bedevilling the country.
What the region is against, however, according to him, is a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that could lead the country into having dual sovereign entities.
On September 20, Aliyu told a forum in Minna, Niger State capital, that “many people are trying to make it look like northern states are afraid of the conference. We are not. Let us come and talk, let us come and look at our problems. If it means restructuring the country, let us come and do it, but we must not be hoodwinked. If people want to secede, let them secede and then we see under which constitution they are seceding.”
Jonathan had said that while he did not oppose a SNC, he felt that because of constitutional issues, it was better for the nation to have a national dialogue. But the new push, which is quickly gaining converts within his administration, is a direct move to permanently change the political history of the nation.
On Thursday, August 30, 2013, Jonathan affirmed the belief of his administration in the rights of the nation’s constituent parts to come together to discuss how they would continue to live in peace and unity.
The President told a delegation of The Patriots, which submitted a memorandum, which, among others, demanded the convocation of a sovereign national conference to discuss Nigeria’s future, that the issue of Nigerians coming together to discuss their future should not be out of place.
He admitted that there had been discussions within his government on how to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue that would reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria’s immense diversity remained a source of strength and greatness.
According to Jonathan, “the limitation we have is that the constitution appears to have given that responsibility to the National Assembly. I have also been discussing the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly. We want a situation where everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward.”
Leader of The Patriots, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, stated that the sovereign national conference should be convened before 2015 elections because the 1999 Constitution was not prepared by the people but a schedule to Decree 24.
Calling for a new constitution derived from the people, the renowned constitutional lawyer noted: “We have done our own research and we have in this country 389 ethnic nationalities. We need to bring these nationalities around a conference table to discuss how we are going to live together as one country – in peace, in stability, in security – as one country with the aim of achieving national unity. But as of today, we are not a nation yet. We are a state. This conference should be convened as a matter of priority as soon as possible, in any event before the 2015 general elections.”
On the position of the National Assembly that there is no need for a sovereign conference since there is an elected National Assembly in place, Nwabueze said: “It is important that what the National Assembly is putting forward is their powers under sections 8&9, which is to alter the Constitution. Power to alter is not as important as the power to abolish what you are altering and to replace it completely. It must be directly from the people and that is the position of, at least, 85 per cent of the countries of the world.
“If you read Section 1(1) of the Decree, these are all preambles to that decree and the 1999 Constitution that you are talking about, it is a schedule to Decree 24. Repeal the decree and the constitution will disappear and you enact a brand new constitution, which would derive its authorities from the people. That was done in 1963 when we adopted the Republican Constitution to replace the Independence Constitution. That 1960 Constitution was also a schedule to British Order-In -Council just as the 1999 Constitution, is a schedule to the Decree 24.”
At its plenary on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly joined the call for a national conference to address issues threatening the nation’s corporate existence.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, on behalf of the party and the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, commended Jonathan.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it would support any dialogue that would bring about the strengthening of the country.
The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna while reacting to the announcement by Jonathan: “The ACF has made it clear long ago that it is not opposed to any national dialogue that can calm nerves and bring about the strengthening of Nigeria’s project, provided such national dialogue would not take the form of a Sovereign National Conference.”
The Secretary General, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Senator Tony Adefuye and the National Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, also praised Jonathan.
The Anglican Bishop of Ngbo in Ebonyi, Rt. Rev Christian Ebisike, commended Jonathan’s decision on the national conference.
In a telephone interview in Abuja, Ebisike said the convocation was a reflection of the aspirations of millions of Nigerians.
He advised the Federal Government to show commitment to the conference and avoid another ‘’political jamboree’’ reminiscent of past national conferences held to decide Nigeria’s future.
Ebisike noted that the Anglican Church in Nigeria, under the leadership of Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, had been at the vanguard of a national dialogue to address the myriad of problems confronting the country.
On his part, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Anglican Bishop of Enugu, urged the Federal Government to show honesty on the outcome of the committee’s work and the recommendations of the conference.
Chukwuma said delegates to the conference should comprise eminent Nigerians, ‘’not sycophants,’’ from different zones.
Others who commended Jonathan’s decision included Senator Effiong Bob, the Pro-chancellor, University of Benin, a one-time constituent assembly member, Anselem Eyo and Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, a human activist.
Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) advised that the President should show enthusiasm towards the conference.
Sagay said: “Let us hope that the committee will make its recommendations and that the President will follow through.
“I have followed the situation closely and I have found that the majority of those occupying positions at the federal level are not interested in a national conference.”
A law teacher, Prof. Akin Oyebode, said Nigerians had been yearning for the conference to discuss some critical issues.
Oyebode, however, advised that all decisions arrived at during the conference must be binding after the conduct of a referendum.
Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, said Jonathan’s support for the conference was a welcome development.
Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, said the conference was the only solution to moving the country forward.
In the same vein, Mr. Taiwo Kolawole, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, thanked Jonathan for his government’s support for the conference, which he described as “long overdue.”
The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, Mr. Bisi Yusuf, also said that the conference must discuss issues that would benefit the masses.
The Chairman, Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Rotimi Olowo, said the composition of representatives at the conference should include all the ethnic groups in the country.
The Lagos State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olatunji Shelle, also described Jonathan’s endorsement of a national conference as a good move.
The South-West Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Austin Nnorom, said: “The gesture by the President to execute a national confab is a healthy development that would address most of the challenges we have at the moment.
“However, I think a sovereign national conference would have been the best to address those issues”.
Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said that the problem of the country was not dialoguing; rather, the government should implement the laws of the land.
However, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Right Concern (MURIC), said that to build a just and equitable society, all stakeholders must participate in the national conference.
The Alhaji Tanko Yakasai-led Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG) applauded Jonathan’s decision to convoke the conference.
The group’s Executive Secretary, Tony Uranta, in a statement said the conference would remodel a united Nigeria premised on the fundamentals of truth, justice, equity, rule-of-law, federalism and democracy.
The following are members and terms of reference of the advisory committee on the national dialogue:
1. Dr. Femi Okurounmu - Chairman
2. Prof. George Obiozo - Member
3. Prof. Ben Nwabueze - Member
4. Senator Khairat Gwadabe - Member
5. Senator Timothy Adudu - Member
6. Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd) - Member
7. Prof. Funke Adebayo - Member
8. Dr. Mairo Ahmed Amshi - Member
9. Dr. Abubakar Sadiq - Member
10. Alhaji Dauda Birma - Member
11. Malam Buhari Bello - Member
12. Mr. Tony Uranta - Member
13. Dr. Akilu Indabawa - Secretary
Terms of Reference:
(i.) To consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
(ii.) to make recommendations to government on structure and modalities for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
(iii.) to make recommendations to government on how representation of various interest groups at the national dialogue/conference will be determined;
(iv.) to advise on a timeframe for the national dialogue/conference;
(v.) to advise government on a legal frame-work for the national dialogue/conference;
(vi.) to advise government on legal procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the national dialogue/ conference into the constitution and laws of the nation; and
(vii.) to advise government on any other matters that may be related or incidental to the proposed national dialogue/conference.
The committee shall have one month within which to conclude its assignment.
The committee will be inaugurated by the President at the State House on October 7, 2013 by 10.00 a.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment