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Tag: delegates

  • Confab delegates pledge to build better Nigeria

    Confab delegates pledge to build better Nigeria

    Delegates at the ongoing National Conference on Tuesday continued discussions of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech at the inauguration, with a pledge to build a better Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegates, who took turn to discuss the speech, agreed with the President that Nigeria is being confronted by too many challenges.

    They, however, pledged to do everything possible to ensure that the conference provides appropriate solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

    Bishop Felix Ajakaiye, representing the South-West, said there was the need to evolve a government that was truly representative.

    “Good governance is about the people. We can’t continue blaming the British after 100 years; we have the opportunity to change it now.

    “We say power belongs to the people but the same people are harassed daily. We should realise that the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” he said.

    Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, another delegate from the South-West, said the conference was necessary so as to avoid the worse from happening in the country.

    “I believe the intention behind the conference is to see that the worse is prevented from happening and we should try to see to it that the best is our lot in this country.”

    Hajia Amuna Ali, who represents retired civil servants particularly urged the elderly delegates to be rational, truthful and courageous in addressing the problems of the country so as to fashion out appropriate solutions.

    “To the elders in this conference, I urge you that we should plant the trees that will provide shade for the next generation; let us truly re-launch Nigeria for our future,” she said.

    Isa Ajiya, representing Association of Speakers, urged delegates to use the conference as an opportunity to re-launch the country as well as to write their names in gold.

    “There are so many things that are not working in this country like education, health, and so many others but we have an opportunity now to make it work.”

    Chief Onikepo Akande, representing Oyo, expressed concern about the rising youth unemployment and the recently aborted immigration recruitment.

    “There are so many unemployed and unemployable youths. There should be skills acquisition centres to train people. Employment generation and poverty alleviation should be at the forefront of this conference.”

    Mrs Victoria Akanwa, representing Nasarawa state, called for justice, equality and fairness among all the sections and zones of the country, saying “no section or zone of the country should override the other”.

    Mr Anthony Akika, said the conference was an opportunity for the delegates to build trust and confidence that would cement the bond of unity of the country.

    “In many countries, lack of trust and confidence, lack of national dialogue have caused a lot of problem like South Sudan, DRC, Ukraine, where dialogue has failed,” he said.

    Mrs Abiola Akiyode, representing the Civil Society, said the constitution had systematically excluded the vast majority of the people but that the conference was an opportunity to write a “Peoples Constitution.”

    Mrs Brenda Akpan, representing the women’s groups, called for inclusiveness of the youth, Persons Living with Disability and women in the affairs of the country.

    “We need this conference to create an enabling environment for active participation of youth, women, children and Persons Living with Disability in all aspects of our national life.”

    On his part, Mr Steve Aluko, representing the Civil Society, challenged the delegates to move beyond lamentations and find workable solutions to the problems bedevilling the country.

    “We must go beyond lamentation to find solution. What will make this conference honourable or distinguished is what comes out of it,” he said.

    NAN reports that 39 delegates spoke on the President’s speech on Monday while about 60 delegates have so far spoken on the speech on Tuesday.

  • Why and how delegates adopted 70 per cent voting mode

    Why and how delegates adopted 70 per cent voting mode

    Delegates to the National Conference adopted 70 per cent voting pattern to save the conference from an abrupt end, it was learnt yesterday.

    The delegates also agreed on the principle of “give and take”, one of the 50 selected to resolve the thorny issue of voting pattern told our correspondent.

    He said that the select group appealed to those with hardline positions on voting pattern to reconsider their position to avoid a situation where the conference would break up on account of “irreconcilable differences”.

    At the meeting yesterday, conference delegates overwhelmingly supported the recommendation of the select group that 70 per cent of delegates sitting and voting should be used to determine any issue delegates failed to reach consensus.

    Delegates also rescinded their earlier resolution, which took away the power to appoint committee chairmen from the Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi.

    With the rescinding of the resolution, the Selection Committee headed by Justice Kutigi, had been empowered to select chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees.

    Twenty standing committees were approved by the conference subject to further increase if need be.

    Voting pattern almost tore the conference apart as Northern delegates insisted on consensus as the mode of resolving issues. Southern delegates wanted two-third majority as the voting pattern.

    The decision on the 70 per cent voting pattern followed the adoption of the outcome of the Group of 50 elders that met with the leadership of the National Conference last week.

    Vice Chairman of the Conference Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi told delegates that the elders, otherwise called “Super delegates” and the leadership of the conference met between Tuesday and Wednesday last week where the decision was reached.

    Akinyemi added that following exhaustive deliberations, it was agreed that 70 per cent would be preferable and more acceptable to the delegates in reaching decisions if consensus failed.

    The implication of the new decision meant that Orders 6 Rule 4; 11 Rule 2; and 12 Rule 4 (e) that proposed 75 per cent or three quarter of delegates present and voting be adopted where consensus fails have been amended.

    Senator Iyorcha Ayu proposed the motion that the amendment be adopted. The motion was seconded by former Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Victor Attah, who thanked his colleagues for avoiding the technicality of “winner takes all.”

    The question was put and those in support carried the day. Attempts by some delegates to oppose the adoption of the proposal, which restored the power of the Chairman and his team to select committee chairmen and deputy Chairman, was shot down through a voice vote.

    The Selection Committee headed by Kutigi was therefore empowered to select Chairmen and their Deputies taking into cognizance competences of individual delegates as well as all States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

    Kutigi put the question for the adoption of the National Conference Procedure Rules 2014, and it was unanimously adopted in a voice vote.

    The delegates also adopted a proposed Work Plan of the Conference after several observations on inadequacies in the proposal were raised.

    The Secretariat would make necessary corrections, the Chairman assured. Group classification meant to reach individual delegates if the need arise was also adopted by the delegates.

    Delegates were also asked to indicate three committees they would want to belong. Speaking on how the 50 Super delegates resolved the issue of voting pattern, a member who participated in the resolution said, “Some people were insisting on 75 per cent, some wanted consensus while some wanted 65 per cent. We looked at the issues and arrived at 70 per cent under the principle of give and take to move the conference forward in the interest of the country.

    “We also said that hardline positions cannot take the conference anywhere. We agreed that if we wanted to move forward, there should not be hardline position. We tried to avoid a situation where the conference will break up abruptly. So the consensus was 70 per cent.

    “This is also because when you are building a nation, you cannot force any issue down the throat of somebody. We believe that if we resolve the issues through consensus, it will serve the country better. But where consensus fails, we should go for 70 per cent of delegates present and voting.”

    The conference started with announcement of the death of a member, Alhaji Mohammed Hamma Misau, who died on Friday March 28 at the National Hospital Abuja.

    Dan Nwanyanwu, who came to the conference on the platform of the Labour Party, observed that the comments of His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, Lamido of Adamawa, that Northern delegates would pull out of the conference if pushed to the wall was not reflected in the votes and proceedings of the conference.

    Nwanyanwu said that it would be unfair to Mustapha if the conference secretariat fails to reflect his contributions.

    Kutigi, who appeared not to have taken kindly to the observation of Nwanyanwu, noted that if the conference were to be a court he would have called Nwanyanwu “a busy body.”

    He said that Lamido Adamawa was in the hall and should have complained if he felt that his contributions were omitted.

    Another delegate who moved a point of order noted that “busy body or no busy body, what Nwanyanwu said is perfectly in order.”

    Kutigi simply said “noted” and ended discussion on the issue.

    Former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Peter Odili, commended his colleagues for the maturity displayed during the consideration of the decision of the conference leadership and the group of 50 elders. He said the outcome of the elders’ meeting was indicative of a successful outcome for the conference.

    “It is the decision of the conference that was popularly removed. I think it is a step forward from where we were last week,” he added.

    Hassan Rilwan also commended the elders for being able to resolve a rather sensitive issue amicably.

    “I believe that the decision of the Chairman to constitute the elders group was excellent because it shows that we, as delegates, and by extension, Nigerians at large are ready to reach agreement on any issue, no matter how contentious.

    “It is a good sign that there is hope after all, if the elders can bring this issue of voting method to a situation where everybody was satisfied with the outcome, then there is no issue that we can not compromise on.

    “All we need is dialogue. By the time we talk with ourselves, there won’t be any room for suspicions. In other words, I am in no doubt that the outcome of this Conference would be to the satisfaction of all Nigerians and the growth of this country,” he added.

  • Delegates want discussion on all subjects

    Delegates want discussion on all subjects

    Delegates to the on-going National Conference were unanimous yesterday that all subjects concerning the existence of the country should be discussed with a view to proffering lasting solutions to the myriad of problems.

    Discussion on the main reason for the convocation of the conference got underway yesterday with 39 delegates commenting on the inauguration speech of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While HRH Ambassador LOC Agubuzu posited that inequality in the political structure of the country must be addressed, Ayo Adebanjo, an elder statesman, was of the opinion that the conference must not shy away from discussing the essence of the existence of the country.

    Mike Ahamba (SAN) said the constitution has never been the problem of the country, rather the conference should examine how Nigerians react to the document.

    On his part, leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams, raised concerns over the role and input of the Federal Legislature on the report of the conference, while Fola Adeola wanted issues of peace, justice and equity to be addressed by the conference.

    Mariam Abdulahi said: “Why are we fighting along regional lines, it’s the elite that are using the loss of resources to divide the country. Ethnic groups does not have problems with one another, but it is the competition among the elite that is creating problems for us.

    “Once the elite stop seeing personal loss as regional loss, then things will be better for this country.”

    Gambo Laraba Abdulah, in her remarks, regretted that old values were discarded for new ones that have not benefited the country, saying when the country was not dependent on imports and oil, the citizens were contented and hard working.

    “In the past, when we were not dependent on imports, our children were going to school, people paid their taxes, while our leaders ensured there was security as our rulers and leaders knew who and who was in town.

    “Then people were self-reliant and security-conscious. What do we have now, we have now depended on imports and oil that we only hear of tthe proceeds on papers.

    “If we are not selling oil, we won’t have these many problems; oil is depriving us of many things. We are now poorer and lazy,” she added.

    Adebanjo regretted that the challenges facing the country have been evident for a long time but no one was courageous enough to discuss the disunity in the country.

    While commending the President for the conference, he said, “Let us discuss the very existence of this country, which is the reason for this Conference. We should discuss federalism. Let us have our own constitution, not military constitution.

    “Let us make a clean break from the past. I appeal that we should discard our past prejudices, especially our colleagues from the North. For instance, the comment of the Lamido of Adamawa was uncalled for. Let us be accommodating and tolerant of each other and dialogue.”

    While HRH Agubuzu also appealed to the delegates not to deny the existence of inequality in the polity, he urged his colleagues to address the issue of the six geo-political zones.

    On his part, Ahamba, who buttressed his point with hard copies of the constitution of some countries, said, “Our constitution is not a fraud. We should rather obey it because the problems of Nigeria can not be found in any book but can only be found in us.”

    John Achimugu was more concerned about religion and its effects on Niferians, saying, “Religion is an emotive material but a source of perennial problems to Nigerians. We must be free to discuss religion frankly as well as the involvement of State in religion and its role.”

    Alh. Mohammed Abubakar said, “Economic structure is our problem. If there is clear synergy between government and private sector, with government believing and engaging the private sector in national development, I believe that would have solved most of our economic problems”.

    Adams raised concerns over the roles expected of the National Assembly on the report of the conference, “My fear is that most of the recommendations that may come out in the report of the conference may not be addressed when taken to the National Asembly.”

    Oba Aderemi Adedapo wanted the conference to address issues of unity, tolerance and patriotism, adding that Nigeria should be able to use the advantages it has in size and resources to promote itself.

    Sen. Abdulahi Adamu was not pleased with the corruption that has permeated every segment of the Nigerian society, despite existence of anti-graft agencies.

    “Our political process is now determined by extreme corruption. I plead that we come up with decisive recommendation at the end of the conference. We should also address the issue of insecurity in the Northeast, especially with reports of foreign aircraft bringing arms to the region,” he added.

  • Confab: Delegates agree on memoranda from public

    Confab: Delegates agree on memoranda from public

    Delegates to the National Conference on Wednesday in Abuja agreed that the secretariat should call for memoranda from the public on issues to be deliberated upon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman retired Justice Idris Kutigi threw the suggestion back to the delegates at the resumed plenary.

    “Do you authorise the secretariat to call for submission of memoranda from the public and for how long?’’

    Most of the delegates answered: “Yes, for two weeks”.

    However, there were few dissenting voices, who said calling for memoranda would be a waste of time.

    Miss Mosumola Umoru, a youth delegate, said that memoranda would ensure that the voice of majority of Nigerians were heard, pointing out that some segments of the country were under-represented at the conference.

    “The youths, which have a population of about 80 million of Nigerians, are represented with only 18 delegates at this conference.

    “We have set up a group via twitter and other social media to collate the views and recommendations of the youth population with regards to direction at this conference.

    “If we call for memoranda, it will increase the contribution of Nigerians toward the process of developing a new nation,’’ she said.

    Dr Adeze Uwuzor, a delegate representing Ebonyi, also supported the idea of memoranda from the public.

    “Let it not look as if we are selfish here. Memoranda are necessary but the secretariat can summarise them so that all Nigerians can be heard.”

    Dr Dozie Ikedife, a delegate representing the South East, said: “The conference owes it a duty to ensure that everybody makes an input.

    “This is democracy, we should invite the public to make input,” she said.

    Mrs Felicia Sanni, a delegate representing the market women, also supported memoranda, saying that the opinion of 492 delegates could not cover the whole country

    In her contribution, Chief Josephine Anenih, an elder stateswoman, however, said that there “is no need for memoranda considering the available time for the conference.’’

    She advised the delegates to consult with the people they were representing from Friday to Sunday, when the plenary would be on adjournment.

    “We should be mindful of the timeframe that we have; we have spent almost two weeks and if we start calling for memoranda, it will take up our time.

    “I do not think it is necessary; we came from several zones and interest groups and we sit here from Monday to Thursday.’’

    Dr Bello Mohammed, a delegate representing Kebbi, however, noted that the Presidential Advisory Council on the conference had already gone round the country to collate memoranda.

    “Nigerians indicated issues they will like the conference to address in these memoranda and advised the secretariat to get the memoranda so as to save time,’’ he said.

    Dr Kunle Olajide, an elder statesman, said that the memoranda that were submitted to the advisory council were specifically to state the form which the ongoing conference should assume.

    “The memoranda that were submitted to the advisory council were specifically for the modality of organising this conference and they have specific titles to which they were supposed to address.

    “As we speak here today, all Nigerians want to know what goes on here and it will be right and proper if we advertise for memoranda.

    “Let them (Nigerians) send in their views because now, we are discussing issues that pertain to re-launching Nigeria,” he said.

  • Confab: Northern delegates threaten a walk out

    Confab: Northern delegates threaten a walk out

    Signs of a huge crack in the on-going National Conference emerged Wednesday as northern delegates threatened a walk out over the unresolved issue of mode of voting.

    His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, Lamido of Adamawa, dropped the bomb shell immediately the delegates settled for the day’s business.

    Dr. Mustapha was nominated for the conference on the platform of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.

    Although Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, asked for comments on whether the conference would call for memoranda from the public on the assignment of the conference, Mustapha sidetracked the issue to deliver what some delegates described as “an attempt to frighten the south.”

    Dr. Mustapha’s comment, a delegate said “may have been rehearsed at a meeting a group of northern delegates held last night.”

    The royal father warned those who cared to listen that they should not be pushed to the wall.

    He threatened that if they are pushed to the wall they would simply walk out of the conference.

    Apparently to underscore the point he was making Dr. Mustapha declared that when they walk out there would be great consequences for the country.

    Some delegates who could not stomach what the Adamawa royal father was saying attempted to shout him down but he was not deterred.

    Even when the shout of “no, no, no” persisted, Mustapha was not dissuaded.

    At first, the Chairman of the conference attempted to call him to order but later urged him to continue.

    The royal father made it clear that he was sounding a “note of warning” before it is too late.

    He noted that it is obvious that if the country breaks up many of those shouting him down would have no place to run to.

    And for all he cared, the people of Adamawa and a lot more people he did not specify, will be welcome and accommodated in Cameroon.

    His Kingdom, he said, extended to Republic of Cameroon especially the place called Adamawa State in Cameroon.

    He said, “I just want to sound a note of warning and that is why I requested to be given time to speak before the start of business today,

    “The note of warning I want to sound is that we should not take a cue from the so-called civilized people of western countries because they are always after their own interest and they can use anything, coercion, force, and other means to protect their interest.

    “Listening to the debates and the behaviour of some delegates here, it really beats my imagination how a gathering of people like us will behave like the way we are behaving.

    “Mr. President delivered his address here that he laid down what we are supposed to discuss but many people here, sorry to say, especially some elder statesmen who claimed to be strong loyalist of Mr. President…”

    There was shout of “Point of Order” from those who felt belittled by what Mustapha was saying.

    Kutigi said, “Mr. Speaker, the issue is whether you want the public to be invited to serve memoranda here.”

    Dr. Mustapha responded, “Mr. Chairman, that is not my request.”

    There was more shout of “no, no, no.”

    Kutigi interjected and said “Order, order, Mr. speaker, please continue.”

    Dr. Mustapha added, “But unfortunately, these people are in the forefront to contradict what Mr. President said. At the rate we are going, in the long run this conference may not achieve its purpose.”

    There was another bout of “no, no, Mr. Chairman no”

    Kutigi asked the delegates to allow Mustapha to conclude.

    “Let him land, let him land, allow the speaker to land,” Kutigi said.

    Dr. Mustapha continued, “In the long run, if we are not careful, this conference will flop, God forbid. And if it flops the resultant effect cannot be predicted by anyone of us here.

    “If something happens and the country disintegrates, God forbid, many of those who are shouting their heads off will have nowhere to go.

    “I and the people of Adamawa, and many others have somewhere to go. I am the Lamido of Adamawa and my kingdom transcends Nigeria and Cameroon.

    “A large part of my kingdom is in the Republic of Cameroon, apart from my kingdom in Adamawa.

    Kutigi interjected again; “Speaker, please answer the question on memoranda and stop wasting our time. Carry on.”

    Mustapha continued, “Part of that kingdom in Cameroon is called Adamawa State, in Cameroon, so you see, if I run to that place, I can easily assimilate but I want to plead with us to adhere to laid down rules by Mr. President in his address, which include issue of voting.

    “Unless you want to disobey the President, then you can do whatever you want and if we are pushed to the wall, we will easily walk out of this conference.

    “Jingoism is not a preclusive of anyone, everyone here is a potential jingoist.’

    When Mustapha stated that “if we are pushed to the wall, we will easily walk out of this conference” there was a sustained “no, no, no” which apparently forced him to sit down.

    Meanwhile the conference adjourned plenary to tackle the controversial issue of mode of voting.

    Deputy Chairman of the Conference Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, announced a long list of delegates who had been selected to resolve the problem.

    The list, Akinyemi said, was the product of painstaking selection that lasted till the early hours of yesterday.

    The list contained mostly names of leaders of delegation and elder statesmen from various states, geo-political zones and groups.
    The 49 member list included Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Edwin Clark, Alani Akinrinade, Awwulu Yadudu, Olu Falae, Justice Hassan Gummi, Prof. Iyorcha Ayu, Senator Ita Giwa, Atedo Peterside, Nduka Obaigbena, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Mallam Tank Yakassai, Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof Jibril Aminu, Prof. Jerry Gana among others.

    It was however apparent that some delegates were not comfortable with the list.

    A delegate simply said “we are waiting and watching how the issue will be resolved.”

    Before adjournment on Tuesday, the delegates mandated the chairman to consult with leaders of delegates to reach a consensus on the thorny question of whether the conference would decide issues by three quarter majority or two-third majority if consensus on the issue failed.

    For two days, the conference could not agree on the issue.

    The controversy threw up north/south divide.

    While northern delegates are rooting for three quarter majority, southern delegates wanted two-third majority as the mode of voting.

    As at the time of filling this report, the behind the door meeting to resolve the voting pattern was still on-going.

    It is not clear what the meeting will decide.

    Shortly after the announcement by Akinyemi, Kutigi adjourned the session and announced the delegates were to resume by 4pm.

  • Delegates in stormy session over rules, others

    Delegates in stormy session over rules, others

    But Ozekhome reasoned that achieving three quarters would be problematic.

    He noted that controversial, emotive and sensitive issues were bound to come up.

    In such a situation, he noted, it would be difficult to get 75 per cent or three quarters to support an issue.

    The lawyer suggested that the conference should go for simple majority or two-third, insisting that three quarters was likely to produce a tyrannical minority.

    The tyrannical minority, he said, might shoot down a popular issue because the conference was unable to get three quarters vote.

    He prayed that the section should be reviewed to avoid a situation where the delegates would find it difficult to take decision on issues.

    Ozekhome said: “369 is 3/4 of this conference, a number that is obviously humongous, elephantine and behemoth. As we go into the serious issues after adopting this rule, a lot of highly emotive, controversial issues and some demanding primordial sentiments would prop up.

    “As a Federal Government delegate, I will discuss from the perspective of a nationalist, but there are many delegates here who are from various strata of our society who have their own issues, such as state police, which I vehemently believe in, regionalism or the form of government we are going to take. When such emotive and controversial issues prop up, how do we get 75 per cent or three quarters because it is going to be very difficult if there is no consensus.

    “In other words, such issues are dead on arrival if we have to go by this rule.

    “If we also have to go by this 75 per cent rule, it means we are going to have a tyrannical minority; if 74 per cent of the delegates vote on an issue and 26 per cent voted against but can’t carry through because we have not the 75 percent mark.

    “The result is that the 26 per cent that voted against has actually won. So, my suggestion is that we should tow the line of parliamentary standard across the world by adopting 2/3 majority.”

    Perhaps the stage of discord was set when Justice Kutigi told the delegates that the conference was not competent to change three quarters vote to decide an issue.

    He said that the letter that appointed them stipulated that determination of an issue where consensus failed shall be three quarters of the delegates.

    He said that the letter foreclosed discussion on three quarters vote to decide an issue.

    Most delegates shouted that the section should be revisited.

    Chief Adeniyi Akintola (Oyo State) wondered why President Jonathan should make up his mind on the issue.

    He said: “If Mr. President has made up his mind on voting, why did he bring us here?”

    Prof. Awwulu Yadudu reminded the delegates that there were some no-go areas as stated by President Jonathan.

    Yadudu noted that Jonathan asked delegates not to discuss any issue that has to do with the continued existence of Nigeria as an entity.

    He added that it was his wish that issues would be decided by consensus but where consensus failed three quarters should be adopted.

    But Chief Ahmadu Ali said that decisions should be arrived at by two-third because three quarters will be difficult to achieve.

    The ding dong went on unresolved.

    Attempts by the chairman to shelve debate on the contentious issue were met by a resounding “no!”.

    The delegates went on break.

    On resumption from break, the Chairman said: “Let us go to page 12”. But the delegates would have none of it as they shouted: “No, were are still on page 11!” that deals with voting.

    The chairman noted that some delegates said that the conference should work with consensus.

    “We shall come back to it later after we’ve taken more arguments,” he said.

    The issue did not come up again for discussion until Justice Kutigi adjourned the session.

    Senator Ken Nnamani said there were inconsistencies in the draft rule.

    He noted that in some place three quarters was mentioned while in other places “two-third” was used.

    He noted even the Constitution allows for two-thirds to decide issues.

    The former Senate President wondered why Justice Kutigi did not allow delegates to conclude the matter.

    On appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees,

    some delegates were of the opinion that the chairman of the conference and his deputy should not appoint chairmen and deputies of committees, as well as constituting members.

    Such appointments, they said, should be subjected to democratic norms whereby members of committees should pick their own presiding officers.

    Chief Olu Falae, among others, supported the idea of members choosing their chairman and vice chairman.

    The chairman put the question and those against the draft carried the day.

    Not convinced, the chairman put the question the second time. Those against the draft rule, which vested the power of appointing chairmen of committees on the conference chairman, outnumbered those in support.

    Justice Kutigi ruled and banged the gavel.

    Removal of chairman and deputy of committees after review of their performance by the conference chairman was also rejected by the delegates.

    On quorum, the delegates decided that 1/3 delegate membership should form quorum for deliberation.

    On replacement of conference official, some delegates wanted a time frame of 48 hours to be given to Mr. President to replace any conference official who resigned or became indisposed.

    But, others said that Mr. President should not be compelled to announce the replacement of an official.

    Chief Segun Osoba suggested that the conference should sit between 10am to 5pm. The break period should be reduced to one hour instead of two hours.

    Osoba proposed an amendment to the provision of the rules of proceedings, saying that the conference should not be rigid about it.

    The current rule being debated stipulates that plenary begins at 10 am and lasts till 2 pm to give way for a lunch break that lasts till 4 pm when plenary resumes to close at 6 pm.

    Some of the delegates canvassed for the plenary to hold between 9 am and 4 pm without break. Others suggested the reduction of the break time to one hour, to enable them to close at 5 pm.

    However, the chairman ruled for the retention of the current provision.

  • Confab: Delegates queue for hours to enter venue

    Confab: Delegates queue for hours to enter venue

    Delegates to the ongoing National Conference on Monday in Abuja queued for about two hours before gaining entrance into the conference hall, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Some of the delegates who commented on the development, expressed displeasure over the discomfort they were subjected to and urged the secretariat to intervene to prevent a reoccurrence.

    Some of the delegates, including Mr Issa Aremu, Mr Dan Iwuanyuanwu and Chief Femi Falana (SAN), drew the attention of the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), to the plight of the delegates.

    “Mr Chairman, what the delegates were subjected to this morning is a clear case of administrative lapse.

    “Many delegates queued for hours outside before they could gain entrance into this hall.

    “I think the secretariat should do something about it,” Aremu, Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said.

    Nwanyanwu, Chairman, Labour Party, complained that security operatives at the gate of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), venue of the conference, wasted time in screening their vehicles.

    “Some of us (delegates) got to the gate before 9.00 a.m. but could not leave there until after an hour.

    “I hope this should not continue to be the situation; the security agencies should start controlling traffic early enough,” he said.

    Falana complained that after spending 30 minutes at the gate, the delegates spent another two hours before gaining entrance into the hall.

    “We spent 15 minutes at the gate to register our cars, we spent another two hours queuing for papers and that is why many of the delegates are not here yet,” he said.

    Falana suggested that papers for the proceedings should be shared to delegates inside the hall at plenary rather than queuing for them outside.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was unanimous adoption of all the observations raised by the three delegates with a call on the secretariat to sit up.

    The Chairman acknowledged the complaints and promised that the issues raised would be looked into with a view to addressing them.

    The plenary which resumed at about 10.15 a.m. to debate the minutes of the inaugural meeting held on March 18, was adjourned shortly after the adoption of the minutes.

    Kutigi said it was necessary to adjourn the plenary for 10 minutes to allow the delegates, some of whom were still struggling to enter, to come in.

    The plenary later resumed at about 11.05 a.m.

    The plenary is expected to debate and adopt the procedures and rules to conduct the business of the confab.

  • Confab delegates may insist on payment of aides

    Confab delegates may insist on payment of aides

    It emerged on Friday that National Conference delegates are spoiling to insist that the Federal Government should pay their aides.

    This is coming as the 492 delegates prepare to commence plenary on Monday with the adoption of the conference rules of procedure.

    The rules which will guide the conduct of delegates throughout the duration of the talk shop were released to delegates on Thursday by the conference secretariat in Abuja.

    Findings by our correspondents showed that the delegates are insisting that apart from other logistics, the aides they brought to the conference should be paid some allowance.

    Our correspondents also discovered that a group of delegates have concluded arrangements to send a written request to the conference secretariat on the need to pay their aides some allowance.

    A member who spoke to our correspondents in confidence said that “the issue of paying our aides a little allowance cannot be swept under the carpet for obvious reasons”

    The delegate from Anambra State noted that “what we have come to Abuja to do is a serious business and should be seen as such.”

    He added, “We have come here for a serious business, whatever will assist us to do a thorough job should be accorded priority by the government. For most of us allowing us to hire one or two aides that will be paid by the conference secretariat will not be out of place.

    “We are meeting and talking about how to impress it on the conference secretariat to pay our aides. Our aides are as important as we are. We may have to put it in writing if need be.”

    He noted that there was no doubt that aides would assist delegates in the discharge of their duties at the conference.

    If the delegates succeed in pushing through payment of allowance for their aide, N7 billion the Federal Government was reported to have set aside for the conference may be increased.

    One of the delegates, Chief Mike Ezekhome, had underscored the fact that the conference involved a lot of brain work and research.

    Another delegate from Adamawa State also pointedly asked the conference leadership how many aides they were entitled to hire.

    The conference Secretary, Valerie Azinge, however told delegates that there was no provision for payment of personal assistants to the delegates.

    Funds provided by government, Azinge said, were specifically meant for delegates alone.

    It was obvious that Azinge’s dismissal of payment for aides of the delegates did not go down well with most delegates when the issue was broached at Tuesday’s meeting.

    Another delegate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, however admonished delegates on the need for sacrifice.

    For Bakare, delegate should be ready to make sacrifices for the good of the country.

    He enjoined them to be less concerned about monetary gains from the exercise, citing instances of wide condemnations that trailed the disclosure of National Assembly lawmakers’ take home package.

    According to him, most of the participants have had to complain about the allowances of Federal lawmakers,

    “We should be ready to make sacrifices during this assignment since we are quick to take our lawmakers to the cleaners over their allowances,” Bakare said.

    Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, another delegate observed that more members would be prevented from airing their views on issues they want to present if proper arrangements were not made to avail delegates ample opportunity.

    She said, “If we start with Mr. President’s speech, how and when do we present our individual mission statements.

    “I believe that most of us have our grievances that we want to present and most leaders here are part of the architects of where Nigeria is today.

    “I would want the conference to create time for every member to present their mission statement.”

    For Emir of Gunmi, Alhaji Nuhu Gunmi, the delegates should exercise restraint and be open to compromises on issues of national discourse.

    The monarch was aware that it would take a lot for members to shred their individual and regional differences in favour of national, patriotic interest.

    “Let us eschew bitterness and see one another as Nigerians,” the monarch said.

    Mahmud Ahmed had reservations with the venue of the conference and its suitability in terms of accommodation and offices, while Atedo Peterside was concerned about the internet link in the complex.

    The conference leadership said the venue remained the best option as the International Conference Centre, Abuja was not available.

    Another challenge for the delegates, it was discovered, is the issue of accommodation.

    Some of the delegates spoken to said that accommodation remained their major headache.

    The conference secretary was quoted to have said that ‘about three quarter of the delegates have so far been accredited for the conference”

    She noted that all the delegates have not been accredited because they had been coming in trickles.

  • Our expectations at conference, by delegates

    Our expectations at conference, by delegates

    Fiscal federalism, resource control, regionalism, devolution of powers and state police are likely to top the agenda of the national conference, which was inaugurated yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    However, many delegates from the North canvassed national unity, cohesion and equity, unlike their counterparts from the South, who clamoured for decentralisation of power and the re-design of the defective federal system.

    The population of the delegate is a blend of old and young politicians, technocrats, traditional rulers and other statesmen. Many old delegates, including former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), who could not stand for a long time or walk alone, were assisted by aides into the National Judicial Institute (NJI) venue. Other aged delegates-Prof. Jibril Aminu, Senator Edwin Clark, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Gambari-were also accompanied by aides.

    Pro-Jonathan campaigners also invaded the venue, displaying presidential villa badges. One of them, former Bayelsa State Diepreye Alamiyeseigha, displayed the badge copiously as he move round to welcome co-delegates on the accreditation crew. The platform also offered a reunion of sorts for former governors and ministers, who exchanged banters.

    Clark, who spoke with reporters after his accreditation, said that, while he supported the unity of Nigeria, the national understanding can only be fruitful in an atmosphere of equity, fairness and justice.

    The Ijaw leader said that the national conference can only be meaningful, if it can restore true federalism. He added: “The South-south is for true federalism. You can call it resource control. We also need to de-emphasis states and have regions. We need to return to the 1963 constitution. As delegates, we will come up with resolutions that will also end corruption in the country”.

    A retired soldier, Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga from Benue State, said that he would articulate the rights of the minority groups at the conference, adding that the country is incomplete without them. He said: “We should use this opportunity to resolve Nigeria’s problems. Delegates should discuss frankly and with open minds so that we can resolve our basic problems. The constitution should be re-written so that it can satisfy our yearnings. This is my expectation”.

    Ejiga added: “One Nigeria is my agenda. Proper federalism is my goal. I am from Idoma, a minority tribe from Benue State. The minority should be given their rights to rule themselves in a peaceful Nigeria. In those days, we had the Idoma Native Authority, with its police and prisons. Such arrangements will give minorities to express themselves”.

    Former Lagos State Military Governor Raji Rasaki compared military and civilian administrations, saying that democracy is better. But, he said to foster popular rule, there is the need to re-design the federal structure to give room for the defense of peculiar interests.

    Rasaki said that he looked forward to a conference of issues and understanding, where the right decision that can propel Nigeria forward will be taken by delegates. He also spoke on the agenda dear to his mind, saying that regionalism is the answer to the lopsided federalism.

    He stressed: The zones should function well and states can operate under them. The six zones can become the component units. Then, you can change the state to another nomenclature”.

    Akinjide spoke on Nigeria unity, saying that it is non-negotiable.

    Dismissing the insinuation that the conference will be another jamboree, the elder statesman added: “The leadership of the country is committed to this initiative. The report will see the light of the day.”

    The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, said that labour representatives at the conference will canvass the retention of labour matters in the Exclusive Legislative List to prevent untoward hardship in the hands of the governors.

    He also said that the NLC delegates will insist on the unity of Nigeria, adding that it has been the pre-occupation of the labour movement since independence.

    Omar added: “Something good will come out of the conference and Nigeria will move forward. This is a conference with  difference because of the way the delegates were selected. It may not be a perfect selection, but, it is a deeper form of selection and representation. Labour representatives will canvass the unity of Nigeria at the conference. We will also canvass the need for improved security, freedom of expression and the need to review this form of government”.

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Gambari, who spoke with reluctance, avoided the contentious issues, saying that he will only lend his voice on the floor. He supported the move to submit the report of the conference to the National Assembly, pointing out that it is in order.

    The retired jurist added: “Subjecting the report to the National Assembly is in order. The members of the National Assembly were elected”.

    Former Ambassador to Spain, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman, who represents the Arew Consultative Forum, said that the national question would be brought to the front burner. He added: ‘We are here to discuss the contentious issues. I am representing the ACF here”.

    Former Senate President Ken Nnamani said: “True federalism is the minimum outcome expected from this conference”. He lamented the inequality of zones, pointing out that the Southeast has been marginalised in the distribution of states. He added: “The zones should be equal. That is why we are asking for two more states in the South. They have more states in the dry land than where we have vegetation. The Southeast is densely populated. It is not only one state we need more; we need two states”.

    Nnamani dismissed the fear that the National Assembly may tinker with the report, following its submission by the conference. He said: “I don’t think so. The National Assembly will not tinker with it”.

    Former  military governor of Rivers State and Amanayabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Diette Spiff, said: “What we need in Nigeria is true federalism or what you call resource control. We also need to debate this presidential system of government and parliamentary system to know which is better. Our founding fathers practices parliamentary system and there was a role for traditional rulers. We need a House of Chiefs for traditional rulers”.

    A delegate from Ondo State, Prof. Femi Mimiko, said that the sessions may be stormy, adding that truth can emerge from the frank deliberations. The Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University added: “We need to redesign the federal structure so that we can have truefederalism”.

    Former Afenifere Publicity Secretary Mr. Yinka Odumakin said that the conference should be able to make suggestions on how to curb corruption in the country.  He also spoke on the mode of ratification of report, saying that referendum is the best. He added: “the main issue is that federalism has been basterdised and the solution is that we should return to true federalism. There is the need fpr the devolution of power. Unitarism has led to s strong centre to the detriment of the component units”.

    Former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Naa’ba supported the ratification of report by the National Assembly, which he described as the custodian of sovereignty. He said: “Nigeria did not elect us as delegates. The National Assembly is elected by the people. Therefore, it is good to subject the report to the National Assembly”.

    The Accord Party (AP) leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, said that, although he is representing the party, he would articulate the grievances of Oyo State at the conference. He noted the Southwest’s clamour for regionalism, saying that it has limitations. The former governor said: “They are calling for regionalism. Will Ondo State share its oil with Oyo State under Western Nigeria? This is the issue we should look at”.

    However, he reiterated his commitment to the struggle for the creation of Ibadan State, saying that it is long overdue. He added: ‘I don’t think state creation is on the agenda of conference. It is already a constitutional matter. The guidelines are spelt out in the constitution”.

    A delegate from Ogun State, Chief Bisi Adegbuyi, said that there will be stormy sessions at the conference because of the fundamental issues on the front burner. He decried the lopsided federla arrangement, saying that a powerful centre is counter-productive.

    Adegbuyi, a lawyer and politician, said regionalism is the solution to the defective federal system, stressing that it will offer opportunities for self-determination.

    Former Anambra State Governor Chukwiemeka Ezeife called for the equality of zones, adding that it is a factor in national unity. He also said that fiscal federalism should be the irreducible minimum outcome of the conference.

    The former governor objected to the proposed ratification of the report by the National Assembly. He said: “I don’t support the submission of the report of the conference to the National Assembly. The people of Nigeria should receive the report.”

  • National Conference: List of delegates sparks anger

    National Conference: List of delegates sparks anger

    Pensioners, civil society groups, MOSOP, Itsekiri, others allege neglect

    Even before it begins, the National Conference is generating acrimony – the very ailment it is expected to tackle.

    The talk shop to which 492 delegates have been invited is to be inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan next Monday. It will be chaired by a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Lagbo Kutigi.

    But the Ogoni in Rivers State, the Itsekiri of Delta State and Pensioners, among others, rejected the list yesterday. They are angry that they have been “sidelined”.

    The coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOS) in the Northeast has also rejected the delegates’ list.

    Besides, a top official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the opposition party might not be keen on filling the two slots allotted it at the conference.

    But a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said the conference should be given the benefit of the doubt to succeed.

    He urged President Jonathan not to reduce its outcome and concessions to “mere advisory significances”.

    The APC chief, who is a member of the Interim National Executive Committee (NEC), doubted the Federal Government’s sincerity.

    He said: “If they are still waiting for the list of delegates from the APC, they may have to wait till eternity. If they are waiting for our list before they start it, then, the conference will not hold. Our opinion and disposition are known. They need to understand where we stand.”

    Asked to comment on the participation in the conference of some APC chieftains nominated by state governments and other bodies, he said they are not representing the interest of the opposition party.

    “There is no evidence that the conference will solve Nigeria’s problems. As at today, we have no delegates’ list. The people expecting us to send a list are not blind and they are not deaf. Our position is clear,” the official said.

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) at the weekend wrote the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, protesting it exclusion.

    The union said: “We are strongly protesting the exclusion of our Union from the National conference, which, if not quickly redressed, would lead to mass protest by pensioners all over Nigeria.

    “We humbly call on Your Excellency, to use your good offices to rectify this ugly situation as soon as possible. This issue has been referred to the Nigeria Labour Congress for quick intervention as well.”

    In the letter dated March 7, titled: “National Conference Nomination: Letter of Protest”, the NUP National President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, said the six slots that were allotted to retired civil servants were all for the Council of Retired Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS).

    According to the the letter, the NUP should have been consulted as the major stakeholders representing the interest of the entire civil service retirees/ pensioners.

    Afolayan added: “Ironically, other related retirees’ associations, such as the military, the police, State Security Service, were all given slots to represent the interests of their members with the exception of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

    “Regrettably, the presence of the National President of the union at the office of the SGF on the 5th of March, 2014 to protest this oversight was rebuffed by the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) of the office of the SGF.

    “I am writing on behalf of over 1 million pensioners in Nigeria who are members of our union.

    We consider it necessary to direct our complaint to the office of the SGF because it is the office charged with the responsibility of compiling the list of the delegates to the National Conference.

    “It is on this note that we wish to draw your attention to the Federal Government’s announcement in the media on the release of the list of delegates to the National Conference, which indicated that retired civil servants were given six slots to the National Conference.

    “As the only union registered and approved by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity for Nigerian civil pensioners/retirees, it was expected that our union, rather than the association of the retired Federal Permanent Secretaries should nominate delegates to the conference. But to our greatest dismay, we discovered that the union was sidelined.

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has written to President Jonathan to protest the exclusion of Ogoni from the national conference.

    MOSOP, through its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, in the letter to the President accused the Federal Government of marginalising Ogoni people.

    It reiterated that the national conference was set up to address lingering imbalances, injustice and instability occasioned by marginalisation and violation of people’s rights, among other issues.

    The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people said: “We have reviewed the published list of delegates (to the national conference) and are shocked that while some ethnic groups in the country are represented by over 40 delegates in some instances, others have no representation whatsoever.

    “For us (Ogoni) specifically, in spite of the huge sacrifices we have made in our pioneering struggle for justice in the Niger Delta and democracy in the country as a whole, we are appalled that even out of the list of 15 delegates from the Southsouth, while some ethnic groups in the zone were represented by upwards of five delegates, not even one of our people was considered for inclusion.

    “We had thought that the Federal Government’s nominations would help address cases of such obvious omissions, but surprisingly, we found that it suffered the same fate.

    “Given the internationally-acknowledged contributions and huge sacrifices of the Ogoni people, under the leadership of MOSOP, to the struggle for democracy, justice, human rights, including indigenous people’s and minority rights, environmental justice and true federalism, we see the exclusion of Ogoni people as another major step in the continuing government policy to malign and oppress the Ogoni people and diminish their huge contributions to nation building.

    “This our protest is predicated on our firm belief that any dialogue process to address the injustice of marginalisation cannot succeed, if erected on the shallow foundation of exclusion and that the best way of perpetrating injustice is to exclude those most afflicted by it from discussions aimed at addressing it.

    “Our people and others like us have been the barometer by which injustice in Nigeria has over the years been measured and that explains why we have been in the forefront with others to advocate national discourse to address the national question. Our exclusion not only sends a dangerous, even if inadvertent message, but asks important questions about the credibility of the process.”

    It declared that Ogoni people and other indigenous/minority communities would not consider themselves bound by whatever decisions that would be reached at the national conference, should the organisation’s protest not be considered.

    The Volunteers for Protection of Itsekiri Rights accused Jonathan of “rigging” the list of delegates to achieve a predetermined agenda in favour of his Ijaw kinsmen.

    VPIR, in a statement by Robinson Ariyo, Leleji Augustine and Okpeyeghan Toju, National Coordinator, Secretary and Public Relations Officer, said the exclusion of the Itsekiri ethnic group from the original list of delegates was suspicious.

    It also faulted the explanation of “anomaly” proffered by the state government for the exclusion of Chief Isaac Jemide, the Itsekiri delegate, saying, “We suggest that it is because in this instance, the selection criteria for the delegates were rigged from inception to favour one ethnic group above every other ethnic group in Nigeria.”

    It said the assertion was buttressed by The Presidency’s presentation of an delegate in each of the categories, stressing that other ethnic groups must also vet the list properly to ensure that the agenda of a group is not imposed on Nigerians.

    “With the conspiracy to exclude the Itsekiris from participating in this conference and the fact that over 20 delegates of Ijaw ethnic extraction are on board, Nigerians need to revisit the set of criteria finally chosen by the Presidency to make this possible,” the statement added.

    The Itsekiri group said the hoopla generated by the exclusion of their kinsmen and other ethnic groups from the list of delegates justified initial calls that selection of delegates be done along the lines of ethnic nationalities as suggested by constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze.

    They claimed that the decision not to make selection on ethnic line was to “guarantee that Ijaw have the well over 20 slots which they now have. While the Itsekiris have none, Isokos and Urhobos have only about three jointly.

    “Now that the Presidency has gone ahead to execute its strategy of lopsided representation of delegates to suit the President’s ethnic group, we call on all other ethnic groups in Nigeria to peruse the list of delegates against the alleged criteria and determine how much each has been cheated in this scheme before we proceed any further with the conference.

    Secretary of the Coalition of the Northeast Civil Societies, Alhaji Baba Shehu told reporters in Damaturu yesterday that the conference is a jamboree of fraudulent and selfish government agents without the full representation of the people at the local level.

    Alhaji Shehu noted that 25 CSOs in the region met and nominated four delegates but the list was thrown into the dust bin by the Federal Government.

    “We the Civil Society Organisations in the Northeast receive the news of the delegates of the CSOs in our region with a rude shock.

    “The list as released by the Federal Government is completely strange from the criteria and procedure of selection of the delegates as earlier directed.

    “Apart from our complete ignorance of the names of delegates on the list, we are also noticed that the region has been short-changed by two delegates. Instead of the four names that we forwarded after our meeting on the 12/02/2014, none of the names came out only for us to see just two strange names on the list.

    “We make bold to say that the Northeast more than any other region in this country at the moment needs a more true representation at this conference to discussion its problems. It is rather unfortunate that some people would sit in Abuja and make a decision on such a sensitive matter of this nature.”

    Olanipekun said no constitution disallows President Jonathan from organising a National Conference, noting that “sovereignty resides in and with the people.”

    The former chair of the University of Ibadan Governing council explained that the NBA had long been in the struggle for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) since the 1980s under the leadership of Chief Alao Aka-Bashorun.

    “Whether it is National Conference or Sovereign National Conference, Nigerians must start from somewhere. We have to cross-fertilise ideas on how best to run the country, whether the Presidential system should continue or not. We have to go there and listen to discussion”.

    He said: “Are we saying the maiming and killing of innocent Nigerians presently in some parts of the country should not be discussed? Are we saying these human lives have no meaning to us?, he queried”.

    “It is the conference that would determine the type of constitution and system of government that would be operated in Nigeria. It is the conference that will give us a groundrum and not to advise Mr President”, Olanipekun said.