Lamido of Adamawa’s Outburst Missing From Votes of Proceedings

The outburst of the Lamido of Adamawa, Aliyu Mustapha, was conspicuously missing from the National Conference’ Votes of Proceedings for Wednesday, March 26.

 The omission was observed when the draft votes of proceedings of March 26, was being discussed on the floor of the Conference.

 The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu, was the first to draw attention to the fact that the Lamido’s speech was not reflected in the proceedings of that day.

 Mr. Nwanyanwu had sarcastically said, “Mr. Chairman, I have studied the votes of proceedings of Wednesday, March 26 but I have not found where the contributions of the distinguished Lamido of Adamawa are reflected. I wish to move that the contributions of the revered monarch be included in the proceedings of this honourable Conference.”

 Reacting to Mr. Nwanyanwu’s observation, the Conference Chairman, Idris Kutigi, said, “I would have described you as a busy-body if we were in a court sitting but I won’t say that here.”

 While delegates laughed heartily, the Chairman carefully steered the Conference away from the controversial issue and called for contributions towards the adoption of the proposed list of committees.

 The Lamido, who was seated in the front row with other elderly delegates, also joined others and had good laugh over Mr. Nwanyanwu’s comments.

 When it was apparent that the Chairman would not take note of the observation, although humorously made, Olaniwun Ajayi, took to the floor and again drew attention to the need to include it in the records.

 Mr. Ajayi insisted that there was no justifiable reason why the contributions of the monarch that made headlines in the media were not reflected in the votes of the proceedings.

 “Mr. Chairman,” he started, “I want to join my colleague to ask that the contributions of the Lamido be included in the Conference proceedings.”

 Apparently sensing that the issue could trigger a crisis, Mr. Kutigi said the observation had been noted and that the correction would be effected.

 The Chairman, however, noted that the Lamido’s speech was already reflected in the hansard of the Conference.

The Lamido’s threat

 Mr. Mustapha, a foremost traditional ruler, had threatened that if the North was pushed to the wall, the region will pull out of Nigeria.

 Trouble had started when some delegates stalled the adoption of the amended Rules of Procedure of the Conference on grounds that a voting procedure was not agreed upon. The monarch had thrown caution to the wind when he angrily reacted to the ramblings of delegates over the voting formula to be adopted in taking major decisions at the Conference.

 Having been denied opportunity to speak during two previous sittings, the first class monarch had taken the floor to strongly warn other delegates to desist from trying the patience of their Northern counterparts. Mr. Mustapha insisted that some so-called elders who claimed to be supporters of the President Goodluck Jonathan were about to derail the Conference.

 He advised delegates to jettison what he described as “so-called Western Conference,” because such would not do Nigeria any good.

 The traditional ruler warned that delegates opposed to the controversial 75 per cent majority voting system risked Nigeria’s disintegration because of their unruly behaviour. He said that any attempt to push the North to the wall would result in an unpleasant backlash.

 The soft-spoken monarch then noted that Adamawa Kingdom extended to Cameroon and that his subjects had somewhere to go to if Nigeria disintegrated.

 “There is a state in Cameroon called Adamawa and if I run to that place, I can easily be assimilated. If you push us to wall, we can easily walk out of this country. Jingoism is not the preserve of anyone,” he said.

Day 5 Plenary at the Nigerian National Conference

 

At 10.52

Inside the chamber, nearly all the seats have been filled by delegates and the day’s proceedings started barely 20 minutes ago.

The Conference is adopting the Proceedings of its previous sittings.

Currently, the Conference is about to move a motion for the adoption of its Rules of Procedure.

The Conference is moves to adopt its draft WorkPlan.

After the Chairman has put the question, delegate Aledu Ibrahim moved that the Conference Procedure Rules as amended be adopted and was supported by Ambassador Adamu.

The #NationalConference Secretary announced that the government has agreed to rent ten additional halls outside the Conference venue to accommodate the committee sitting during the three weeks they will be meeting.

NB:  The Conference discussed the draft workplan and observations raised to address some of the issues delegates feel so strongly about.

Obiora Ike having considered the work plan  thanked those who prepared it. He said the Conference was already behind schedule and urged the leadership to ensure that the leadership of the working committees be announced on the next sitting. He also commented that the workplan should make room for the public holidays since some of the days slated for sittings are public holidays. National Chairman of the Labour Party was the first to draw Conference’s attention to the issue of sittings on public holidays.

Delegate ABC Nwosu argued that most of the committees proposed by the leadership are not in alignment with President Goodluck Jonathan's blueprint as embodied in his inaugural address.  He called for the realignment of the committees to reflect the intentions of the President.

Senator Ahmed Mohammed from Kaduna also called for a revisit of the draft workplan in order to come out with a clean and workable document. He also pointed out that the Conference Rules should not have been adopted without clean copies being circulated to members.

Sergeant Awuse suggested that the list of proposed committees and the work plan be handed back to the leadership to fine-tune some of the areas delegates raised complaints and bring back the document during the next sitting.

Femi Falana argued that Conference must move speedily, and suggested that the workplan be taken back while delegates send their observations to the secretariat. He said the Conference should move to discuss the President’s speech.

A member shouted, “You can’t move..”

Tunde Bakare said the Conference is full of mutual suspicion based on regional and religious leanings. Nigerians are expecting something different from this Conference. We are not a parallel government. He said Atiku Abubakar has written on the back page of Thisday Newspaper and the piece should be incorporated in the workplan. 

By Mid-day,

A delegate observed that the problem of the country was more of economic, adding that such items have not be properly handled in the draft workplan.

He also said Nigeria does not have a common national ideology and governance philosophy that would promote the empowerment of the people. He suggested that the committees should be merged and reduced to about 15.

He argued that the issues of illegal mining should not be seen as an environmental issue but as resource theft just like oil theft. He informed the house that a position paper had been submitted to the leadership on the proposed amendments to be made.

Ezenwa Nwogu argued that the Conference should not be seen as a workshop and suggested that delegates who have things to add to the work plan should do so in order to make the  Conference achieve better result.

The Chairman told a delegate who tried to cause an uproar that he has the power to order him out. Kutigi, however, warned him to desist from causing trouble on the floor but noted that he would not use his maximum power on the delegate.

Motions for the adoption of the amended workplan were moved and seconded

Buknor Akerele said the committee on governance has provision on minority rights but argued that the issues of women have not been properly captured. She called for the merger of some of the committees to make them address important issues that would help the country.

Fatima Adamu from Kebi State said education and health should be separated from social welfare and made to belong to human development.

She said Nigeria has no national value and agenda, and argued that the Conference should adopt a national agenda and national value.

Ebelle Okeke referred to committee on agriculture and asked that water resources should a separate platform not together with agriculture.

She explained that water resources should be developed to bring immense benefits to the country. She said that the setting up of a water resources committee be constituted.

Modibo Kawo said the choices the country has made since Independence has ruined the economy. He said the country has wiped off million of textiles jobs. He said since 1999, Nigeria has been selling national assets to government cronies. “We should interrogate the choices we make in this country.”

Aisha Ismail pointed out that most important issues bedeviling the country have not been given due attention. He said corruption has killed everything in the country. according to him, we have a collapsed agriculture, collapsed housing sector, collapsed health sector. "I think that corruption should be made an item and not just dumped into some other issues."

Isaac Olale argued that there was no inter agency collaboration among security agencies in the country and urged that such issues be given serious consideration by the Conference.

Prof Gambo Laraba said that education has not been well covered in the Conference, saying that education will determine the success of the country.

He went further to say that the government should take serious responsibility of the educational sector.

He argued that the privatization of education is not doing the country any good. Arguing that education is the wealth of the 21st century,  a request was made that the education in the country should be demand-driven and not the way it has been .

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THE CONFERENCE DELEGATES UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTS THE 70 PERCENT VOTING SYSTEM FOR ARRIVING AT DECISIONS.

The National Conference sitting moved on to discuss Group Classification.

The Chairman, Kutigi, said the classification is meant to help the leadership have contact with the delegates. He said 97 different groups were handed to the leadership from the Government. 

Remi Kuku moved the motion for the adoption of the Conference Grouping arrangement and was seconded by Kashim Mohammed.

Musa Adede suggested that many youths should be included in most of the committees, since they will benefit from the efforts of the Conference and would also contribute to building a great country.

Olawale Okuniyi called for the management of the Conference information. He argued that the elders’ statesmen and traditional rulers could be merged; the political parties could be merged, as well as Women groups for effective coordination.

Robert Audu thanked God for giving the delegates good conduct and commended the Chairman for the way he is handling debate on the floor of the Conference.

Sheila Abiye contributed by saying that market women should not be included only in the social welfare committee but in every committee set up by the Conference. She argued that market women are affected by everything that goes on in the country and there was need for them to be accommodated.

Otu Orok Duke moved a motion for the adoption of the amended list of committees to address the suggestions of members. The motion was seconded by Asibi Asani.

Atedo Peterside said he humbly submitted that one of the biggest problems of the country is that of indigineship, settlers and landowners. He said that residency; settlers and indegineship should be seriously considered, noting that he is a tax-paying Lagosian with children who belong to bi-tribal lineage having married from Yoruba.

Peter Izon said that part of the crisis of economic management is that Nigeria has no direct economic philosophy.

We must capture the necessary linkages to attain development.

We must not necessarily need to increase the number of committees but we can restructure the committees to address very important economic issues. 

He said that they should be a way of knowing and recognizing people instead of allowing people to raise their hands, in signification to speak, without being acknowledged.

Mike Ozekhome said the media is so critical for national development, and should not be hidden under any committee. He said Section 22 of the Constitution, empowers the media to hold the government accountable to the people of Nigeria. Such a critical sector should not be subsumed in science and technology.

He suggested that the media segment be brought in line with committee 11.

He also argued that Immigrations should be merged with others under the national security.

Iyorcha Ayu argued that there was no need to create a separate committee on immigrations but suggested that it be placed under the National Security Committee.

Ammuna Lawan argued that since all the committees will be meeting simultaneously, it therefore means that each member will be stuck with one committee even when delegates are expected to belong to three committees.

In reaction, the Chairman explained that members should select committees in order of preference and be ready to submit papers to the two committees they may not be able to attend physically.

Joe Okey Odumakin suggested that the plenary hall could be used by three different committees concurrently instead of going outside the venue to hire halls.

Already, 20 standing committees have been approved by the Conference, according to the Chairman, Kutigi.

Information from the floor reveals that each Delegate is expected to belong to three different committees.

The committee membership form was then circulated round the hall. Joe Ejiro asked if the merger of committees would not affect the number of committees each member would belong.. to which the Chairman said the secretariat would work out the modalities of the committees to include all the members.

Jibril Aminu said the level of patriotism in the country was low, adding that patriotism should be given a wider context and treated properly in the Conference. He said if Nigerians were a little more patriotic, corruption would not have been at the level it is.

Charles Edosomwan said the Judiciary is not given adequate attention.

He said it seems that the National Judicial Councils tend to usurp the powers of the Governors in the appointment of state judges. He argued that such issues should be brought into the purview of the Conference and further stated that the NJC is an executive body and should not be found to usurp the powers given to the governors under the Constitution.

A delegate, Ayo Adebanjo took a swipe at the Lamido of Adamawa who said last week that his people will move to Cameroon if the country splits. “The language of the Lamido of Adamawa was very discouraging,” Mr. Adebanjo said.

The session resumed from lunch break and began discussion on the president’s March 17 National Conference inaugural address.

The Deputy Chairman of the Conference, Bolaji Akinyemi moderated the debate on the president’s speech.

Each delegate was allotted only 3 minutes to discuss the president’s speech. 

24 delegates made contributions on the president’s speech in the aspect of unity, true federalism and restructuring of the country.

About six delegates, including the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Abdulahi spoke.

Many of them lamented the poor state of the economy and identified the oil discovery,the disregard for agricultural, unemployment and security etc as the problems that brought Nigeria into its current state.

The Emir lamented the non-implementation of the past conferences exports,including the 2005 NPRC, which he also attended.

Debate on the president’s address ended with a total of 39 delegates making contributions.

Gbadegesin Adedeji said Nigeria needs restructuring of its politics, values, thoughts, social life, economy etc.

At the point of session adjournment,

Mr. Kutigi read President Goodluck Jonathan’s condolence letter to the conference over the passing away of a delegate, AIG Mamman Misau who died on March 27.

The letter was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim.

National Conference 50-member Consensus Group adopts 70 per cent voting procedure

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Members of the Consensus Group set up by the Chairman of the National Conference, Idris Kutigi, to resolve the voting procedure stalemate, have agreed that a 70 per cent voting procedure be used in reaching major decisions at the ongoing confab.

A stalemate had ensued when delegates failed to agree on a voting procedure to be adopted in reaching decisions at the Conference on Monday.

Order 6, Rule 3 of the Conference Rules provides that decisions shall be decided by at least a three-quarter majority.

It reads: “Any questions proposed for decision in the Conference shall be determined by consensus and when this is not achievable, it should be determined by a three-quarter majority of the delegates present and voting.”

While delegates from the Southern part of the country argued for a two-third majority voting procedure, majority of the Northern counterparts routed for three-quarter or 75 per cent which translates to 369 delegates.
For three consecutive sittings, the leadership could not bring the delegates to adopt the Conference’s draft Rules, a situation which resulted in a stalemate and subsequent adjournment of plenary sitting.

As part of measures to resolve the crisis, the Chairman, Idris Kutigi on Wednesday selected 50 delegates including leaders of various delegations and interest groups to meet with the leadership and discuss the issue.

The group met twice on Wednesday, and met again on Thursday and on Friday during which parties to the dispute openly tabled their fears and concerns.

After extensive debates and consultations, the group agreed to adopt a voting formula which is altogether different from the positions taken by the opposing parties.

A source within the group disclosed that the 70 per cent voting procedure was adopted because it is at the midpoint between two-third (67 per cent) and 75 per cent supported by the Southern and Northern delegates, respectively.

“We discussed extensively and dispassionately on all the fears and concerns expressed by every group and interest and tried to take a decision that would favour all the parties concerned.

“We, therefore, decided that 70 per cent of members would be needed to take major decisions at the Conference. In taking that decision, we wanted to achieve a win-win situation for all.

“I know that delegates may still disagree on the decision we have taken but we consider that the best under the situation we have found ourselves in the country.”

The Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Akpandem James, on Friday confirmed that an agreement had been reached on the voting procedure to be used at the Conference.

Mr. James, who did not state the agreement, also maintained that the agreement would be tabled before the delegates on Monday for adoption.

He said, “The disagreement will not affect resumption of plenary on Monday because it has been resolved. The 50-man consensus group met with the principal officers on Wednesday and Thursday and a consensus has been reached. It is still a proposal.

“The consensus delegates have gone back to delegates from their various geo-political zones to present to them the consensus that was reached. The consensus will be presented to the house on March 31 for the delegates to adopt. Until it is adopted by the larger house, an agreement has not been reached.”

Youth Delegate At National Conference, Hassan Rilwan @Hassan_Rilwan Outlines His Agenda

“But I, being poor, have only my dreams I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams” - W.B. Yeats (1865-1939)

Sequel to my nomination as a National Conference delegate representing Outstanding Youth Role models in the ‘Other Youths Organisation’ list, I thought it expedient and proper to create a 12-member think-tank (TT) comprised of a crop of intelligent and exceptional youths to discuss and formulate a viable youth agenda for the National conference.

The members of this Think-Tank are as follows:

Hassan Rilwan, Blossom Nnodim, Nasir Galadanchi, Japheth Omojuwa, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Linus Okorie, Ibrahim Wala, Alexander Mamchika Atta, Haruna Abdullahi, Ahmed Terab, Audu Maikori, Vera Ibe

Over the past few weeks, members of this think-tank have had series of interaction via various social media platforms (Facebook, twitter, blackberry group, whatsapp etc.) requesting for inputs from the general youth populace towards the formulation of a viable youth agenda for the National Conference. These online interactions have generated a lot of interesting feedbacks upon which members of the think-tank met to extensively deliberate on Saturday, March 22nd, 2014.  After a full day of brainstorming and passionate discussions amongst some members, the following was agreed upon as a viable youth agenda for the national conference.

EDUCATIONAL POLICIES

It has been observed that there is a wide gap between the educational content being presently churned out to the youth and the emerging realities of the society they face after graduation. This gap must be bridged. In this regard, it is our considered position at the policy objective of the State on Education as captured in Section 18 (3) of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be expanded to include the following:

(i)           Provision of free entrepreneurial training for the youth

(ii)          Provision of free Skills Acquisition Training for youths with or without formal education;

(iii)         Provision of free Leadership Training for youths at all levels of formal education

(iv)         Formulation and inculcation of a National Ideology at all levels of formal and informal education and training. This National Ideology should emphasizes honest hard work, dignity of labour, patriotism, pursuit of excellence, ethnic and religious tolerance and respect for individuals and human rights.

SOCIAL SECURITY FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

A recent report suggests that 65% of the total Nigerian population is made up of young persons between the ages 0 – 25. Unfortunately, about 45million Nigerian youths are without employment. Despite the various government programmes and claims of reducing unemployment, the devastating effect was brought home to us during the recently organized NIS employment examination which saw the death of over 20 youths with several hundred injured. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

Consequent on the above, we therefore call for the establishment of a Youth Social Security Trust Fund (SSTF) to provide social security for unemployed Youth. Sources of such fund shall include (but not limited to): Government grant (1% of total emoluments of government employees), Corporate Social Security Tax (1% of net profit), International grants/donations (World Bank, USAID, DFID etc.).

It is our considered view that all other government programmes on Employment creation such as the National Directorate on Employment, YouWin, Sure-P programme for youth employment, Growth and Employment Project (GEP) should all be collapsed into this Youth Social Security Trust Fund.

In the light of the above, NYSC’s scope and mandate should be expanded to include graduates of all tertiary institutions (not just universities and polytechnics). The scope should also include youths who must have graduated from any informal sector of education (such as vocational and skills acquisition training Institute accredited by appropriate government regulatory body).

There should be an NYSC Reform whose end product should be the empowerment of the youth and provision of entrepreneurial skills for youth with ease of access to capital to set up new businesses and expand existing ones. The capital should come from the Youth Social Security Trust Fund.

It is our considered view that Social security need not be monetized in form of financial stipends to unemployed youth as this might amount to giving the youths fish instead of teaching them how to fish. It is also economically impracticable and will present a huge burden on government. Instead, funds in the Youth Social Security Trust Fund should be channeled towards the following:

(i)           Provision of very low interest loans (under 5%) for unemployed graduates of both formal and informal institutions who must have undergone the requisite entrepreneurial training via NYSC and have a viable business proposal.

(ii)          Provision of services such as Health services for unemployed Youth. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is currently expanding its scope to cover vulnerable persons (such as women and aged-persons) by 2015. It is our strong opinion that every jobless youth should be considered a vulnerable person and put under the scheme.

(iii)         Provision of employment opportunities/incentives for unemployed youths. Funds from the Youth Social Security Trust Fund can be used to create financial incentives for youth to take up employment in certain neglected sector of our economy (such as the agricultural sector).

With regards to Informal educational Training for youths without formal education, there should be a Skills Acquisition Certification and Regulatory Board that should regulate and certify existing skills acquisition and vocational training centres at all levels of government for quality assurances, regulation, efficiency and organizational purposes. This should solve the very low quality of our artisans and reduce capital flight due to our increasing reliance on neighbouring countries for them.

JUSTICIABILITY OF CHAPTER TWO OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION

It is baffling to observe that the very chapter that captures the fundamental obligation of government towards its citizens (especially as it relates to socio-economic rights) is said to be injusticiable (i.e it cannot be a basis of suing government for their enforcement).

Here are a few of the socio-economic rights which government is obliged to provide:

(i)           right to General welfare and security, (S. 14(2)(b);

(ii)          Provision of Transportation: adequate facilities for movement of people, goods and services throughout the Federation (S. 15(3)(a);

(iii)         Provision of Physiological needs: suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens (S. 16(2)(d);

(iv)         Right to employment: all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, [shall] have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment (s. 17(3)(a);

(v)          Right to health: adequate medical and health facilities for all persons (S. 17(3) (d);

(vi)         Right to education, from cradle to grave: free, compulsory and universal primary education; free secondary, university education and adult literacy programme (S. 18(3)(a) to (d);

(vii)        The State shall not operate the economic system in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group (S. 16(2)(c);

(viii)      The State to ensure that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good; (S. 16(2)(b);

(ix)         The State to control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity (S. 16(1)(b).

It is our considered view that Chapter 2 of the Constitution especially section 17 (3) that stipulates the socio-economic rights of the citizens should be made justiciable. This will make government to priotise the fulfillment of these basic needs to the people. In any case these very socio-economic rights have been captured in many International Conventions (such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Right) to which Nigeria in a signatory.

YOUTH PARTICIPATION

In view of the fact that the youth make up more than half of our country’s population, it is only reasonable that the government should direct its policy towards ensuring more participation for youth in governance. In this regard, we are of the view that:

(i)           There should be a downward review of the required minimum age for contesting elective offices for Federal and State Houses from 35years of age to 25/30 years of age.

(ii)          There should be a national bench-mark for determining who is a “youth” that is in line with international standards. In this regard, it is our considered view that the bench-mark should be fixed between 18-35 year instead of the present situation where persons above 45 and 50years are appointed to be in charge of youth affairs.

(iii)         The Minister for Youth Development should be appointed from amongst the Youths who will be more likely to be in touch with the needs and aspirations of the average youth and not from crops of elders who are totally out of touch with the realities facing the youths.

(iv)         Conscious efforts should be put in place to ensure that more youth are involved in government rather than for political thugery. The negative tendencies of some State Governors to set up youth thuggery groups to intimidate their political opponents and further their political dominance is very condemnable and must be stopped immediately.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative to state that the above issues facing the youth are not the only agenda the youth, (of which I am a representative), shall table before the Conference. We shall also come up with our position on Resource control, true federalism, State Police, indigeneship, and other critical issues which shall form the overall agenda for the National Conference. For now these issues facing the youth are our top priority.

Let us finally reiterate, that the National Conference is about the Future of Nigeria and the youth are the future of this country. We therefore urge all delegates to bear this in mind as they deliberate and take decisions. In paraphrasing the words of W.B. Yeats, we the youths are saying: ““But we, being poor, have only our dreams. We have spread our dreams under your feet; therefore tread softly because you tread on our dreams”

Hassan Rilwan @Hassan_Rilwan can be reached via engagehassan@gmail.com

2014 National Conference Committees

Delegates at the #NationalConference

The 20 Standing Committees proposed are :

1. Committee on Devolution of Power
2. Committee on political restructuring and form of government
3. Committee on National Conference
4. Committee on Environment
5. Committee on Politics and Governance
6. Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Reform
7. Committee on Social Welfare
8. Committee on Transport
9. Committee on Agriculture
10. Committee on Science and Technology and Development
11. Committee on Civil, Society, Labour and Sports
12. Committees on Public Service
13. Committee on Electoral Matters
14. Committee on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters
15. Committee on Land Tenure Matters and National Boundary 
16. Committee on Trade and Investment, 
17. Committee on Energy
18. Committee on Religion
19. Committee on Public Finance and Revenue Generation 
20. Committee on Immigration

List of National Conference 50-Member Consensus Group To Resolve Voting Procedure Logjam

National Confab: The Consensus Group

1.       Chief Olu Falae

2.       Dr. Kunle Olajide

3.       General Ike Nwachukwu

4.       Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN

5.       Chief Peter Odili

6.       Edwin K, Clark

7.       Prof. Ibrahim Gambari

8.       Prof. Jibril Aminu

9.       Prof. Jerry Gana

10.     Alhaji Adamu Waziri

11.      Mallam Tanko Yakassai

12.     Senator Ibrahim Idah

13.     General A.B. Mamman

14.     A.K. Horsfall

15.     Chief Josephine Annenih

16.     Issa Aremu

17.     Ms. Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau

18.     Hajiya Bola Shagaya

19.     Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

20.     Amb. Vincent Okobi

21.     Amb. (Prof.) Lawrence Ekpebu, OFR

22.     Senator Femi Okunrounmu

23.     Dr. Joe Nwaogu

24.     Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia

25.     Prof. Auwalu Yadudu

26.     Prof. Iyorchia Ayu

27.     Obong Victor Attah

28.     Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe

29.     Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, CFR

30.     His Excellency, Adamu Aliero

31.     Atedo Peterside

32.     Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife

33.     Prof. Isa B. Mohammed

34.     Kashim Ibrahim Imam

35.     Senator Florence Ita-Giwa

36.     H.E. Ken Nnamani

37.     Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu

38.     Alhaji Sule Yahya Hamma

39.     Dr. Abubakar Saddique Mohammed

40.     Chief Olusola Akanmode

41.     HRH, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, Emir of Gummi

42.     Mr. Ledum Metee

43.     Mr. Fola Adeola

44.     Senator Mimibariya Amange

45.     Rt. Hon. Anayo Nebe

46.     Raymond Dokpesi

47.     Benjamin Elue

48.     General Alani Akinrenade

49.     Ndukka Obeinana

50.     Justice Mamman Nasir

PRESS STATEMENT

 - National Conference Defer Debate on Voting Pattern

Consideration of the Rules of Procedure at the National Conference holding in Abuja ended on Tuesday with far-reaching decisions taken to ensure a smooth conduct of affairs both at the plenary and committee sessions of the Conference.

The Conference however closed for the day without adoption of the approved Rules of Procedure because members insisted on going through the clean copy of the approved issues before adoption.

In addition, the issue of how voting would be conducted on crucial issues based on committee reports attracted heated debates, and based on suggestions by members, had to be stood down for further deliberation.

It was suggested that the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, GCON, invite leaders of the six geo-political zones for further consultation, deliberation and negotiation, and report back to the Conference.

As soon as further debates on the issue came up on Tuesday, those who said all issues should be resolved by consensus or at least 75% majority vote refused to accept resolution through individual votes, arguing that those who favoured two-third majority seem to be more in number.

Chief Edwin Clark cautioned that the position of both parties must not be allowed to stall proceedings at the conference and that to get out of the situation, delegates should vote on whether to accept three-quarter majority vote or two-third.

This position was rejected by Dr. Bello Mohammed from Kebbi State who insisted that every decision must be reached by consensus, arguing that the conference was not about majority or minority but was about the Nigerian state.

Former Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga said the argument was a straight tussle between those who wanted change and those who wanted retention of the status quo. He concluded that two-third majority vote remained the only solution.

Bashiru Albasu, a retired police officer cautioned delegates that, “if this issue is not handled carefully, it will break this Conference. I suggest that we refer this issue back to those who established this Conference.”

Matters came to a head when a delegate, Akin Arikawe, moved that further debate and decision on the issue be carried forward. The motion was adopted and passed.

In his contribution, both Fola Adeola from Ogun State and Atedo Peterside moved that the Conference Chairman meets with leaders of delegates from the six geo-political zones for further deliberation on the issue and report back to the Conference.

This position flowed from a contribution by Okon Osung (Akwa Ibom State) that, “we cannot discuss any other issue successfully except we are guided by our rules.” He was supported by Akin Oyebode from Ekiti State.

Tunde Bakare had earlier in his comments urged the delegates to ensure that “we do it right this time so that our report will not be kept in view.”

He was optimistic that every issue will be decided amicably no matter how controversial “because north and south, we see ourselves as one.”

Another issue raised by Chief Shola Ebiseeni on who the Conference should submit its final report to attracted extensive debate as members with diverse views rose to offer suggestions which were to form a section of the Rules of Procedure.

Ebiseeni who represents the grassroots had likened Nigeria to a patient requiring immediate attention and explained that the conference provides opportunity for “political surgeons” to diagnose the problems and apply surgical solutions.

He stated: “this Conference is not about constitutional amendment because if that were the case, we will only be repeating what the National Assembly is doing and that if need arose, the Conference can draft a new constitution for the country”.

Olaniwun Ajayi from the Southwest said the reasons for the Conference was very clear, “we are here to right all the wrongs of the past. If by any mistake, the decision of this Conference is submitted to the National Assembly, then we are back to square one.”

He went ahead to suggest that the report of the Conference should be submitted for a referendum: “we should amend the rules to state that our conclusions will be submitted to the people of this country for a referendum.”

At this point, the Conference Chairman, in an attempt to calm nerves, suggested that further debate on the issue be suspended until the end of the Conference since it was premature to decide who to submit a non-existing report to.

However, Joe Okei-Odumakin of the Civil Society Group insisted that the decision should be taken immediately. She supported the previous speakers that the outcome of the Conference be submitted for a referendum. She was supported by Dr. Joe Nwaogu from the Southeast.

Former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani made persuasive inputs when he reminded the Conference that delegates lacked required legal backing to take such a decision.

Nnamani referred to President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech at the inauguration of the Conference which urged the National Assembly to fast-track the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to create room and give legal backing to issues of referendum if required.

“At present, we do not have any legal backing to do it,” he emphasized to the attentive delegates, adding that Nigeria is governed by the rule of law that is anchored on the 1999 Constitution.

He said further, “we are not here to draft a new constitution. We can make suggestions towards constitutional amendment. Let us only do those things that we are capable of doing. We were not elected to this forum, we were appointed. This is not a Constituent Assembly.”

His position was supported by Robert Awudu who said that the job of the delegates would have been done when decisions are taken and the report submitted to the President.

Dr Magayi Danbatta in his contribution said as faulty as the process that brought it about could be, members of the National Assembly are elected representatives of the people.

“But we were not elected. We are not representing anybody. We were appointed by the President. Ours is to report back in a manner that is consistent with our mandate.”

Former Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’l said the powers of the delegates should begin and end with the Conference; “let us simply recommend to the President. We should stop where we are supposed to stop.”

In a brief contribution, Musa Elayo Abdullahi said though the conference could advise on what should be done, “this body was set up by the President; it has no place in law. At the end, we report to the President.”

A newspaper publisher, Nduka Obaigbena, reminded the delegates that any conference “is as good as its report and the ideas that come with it. Not every report of a conference of this kind goes to become a part of the constitution. Let us be guided by strong ideas because when we have strong ideas and acceptance of the people, no National Assembly can stop it.”

Thereafter, based on a motion by Bisi Adegbuyi, it was resolved that the provision in the Rules of Procedure touching on the final report be left to read: “Should the final report lead to the drafting of issues of law and policy, the Conference shall in consultation with the six principal officers of the Conference advise the government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of the National Conference into the constitution and laws of the country.”

Thereafter, Obaigbena demanded that a section of the rules that sought to take action against journalists covering the Conference on the basis of offensive reports should be expunged from the rules book.

He said it was impossible and unacceptable to “ask journalists to report or not report what we do not like.” His position was accepted and the provision was expunged.

At the beginning of the day’s deliberation, a delegate, Mahmud Aminu, had complained about a publication in a national newspaper showing pictures of delegates sleeping during the plenary session on Monday.

He was countered by Yinka Odumakin who said there should be no attempt to gag the media at the Conference, and that journalists should be allowed to report what they see responsibly.

Dan Nwayanwu of the Labour Party also kicked against attempt to stop journalists from doing their job adding, “We are here to do the nation’s business. If you have any reason to have a nap during plenary, the press will get you and they have a right to do their job.”

When a suggestion by Orok Duke from Cross River State that the proposed 22 Standing Committees were being overloaded with work and should be restructured, the Conference Deputy Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Conference would not be able to adopt the suggestion because it was faced with shortage of Committee Rooms.

To avoid hanging on one issue for too long, Senator Adefemi Kila suggested that the Conference Chairman should guide the Conference to consider each clause one by one and that when an issue had been considered and passed, it must not be revisited under any guise.

Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Gambo Jimeta spoke against wasting time on issues which he said, “do not have direct bearing on the outcome of the Conference, and urged the chairman to apply “the doctrine of necessity to get us moving”.

Akpandem James,

Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications