Welcome to the second plenary of the ongoing National Conference.
18:15
End of Day Two Plenary
At exactly 6 pm, some members started shouting, “Adjournment, adjournment, adjournment.”
Isa Aremu, while moving for adjournment said he is excited about the energy and emotions that are expressed by delegates but argued that delegates should be allowed to speak on alphabetical order so that all delegates would speak.
The Conference has been adjourned.
17:55
At the rate the Conference is going, it is impossible to finish discussion on the Rules today.
Order 9 which provides that leaders of delegation would speak on behalf of each of the delegation was criticized by a delegate who insisted that the floor should be open for all delegates to speak on any issue they feel strongly about.
Order 9 (3) also came under scrutiny by a delegate who argued that every delegate who has an issue to raise should be allowed to do so through a motion. Mr. Chairman said Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees the right to Freedom of Expression and the Rules will violate the rights of the delegates.
After an exhaustive debate, the Chairman put the question and Rules 1 and 2 contained in Order 9 were deleted from book.
Ken Nnamani referred to Order 7(4) and insisted there should be consistency in the Rules. He referred to Page 11 where ¾ which is 75 percent. He said the inclusion of two-third and ¾ were mixed and was not good for the Conference and called for a stand on the matter.
Olawale Okuniyi said Order 9 (1) was good for the Conference adding that the session should not be turned into a Babel Tower. He suggested that experts from representative bodies be allowed to speak on issues in order to save time and allow caucuses to meet and discuss more pressing issues that require consensus.
17:20
There is a sort of logjam as delegates seem to have voted down every motion on the selection of the Chairmen of Committees.
A decision finally taken on how the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen will be appointed. The Vice Chairman tried to explain that Kutigi has agreed to the position of the delegates but the delegates insisted that the Conference Chairman should confirm that personally. Kutigi did and hit the gavel to adopt the Conference.
Anietie Okon said when issues have been discussed on the floor; it should be exhausted so as to reflect in the records. He referred to the vote in which the Conference decided to select the Chairmen and Deputies for the Standing Committees.
A representative of the NCWS appealed to the leadership to allow women to serve as Deputy Chairmen where men are appointed Chairmen of Committees.
16:45
Ibrahim Idah: Asks the Chairman to disallow people from clapping after submissions because it makes the conference “like any other gathering which is not”. He also said people should refrain from booing other speakers.
16:40
Women delegates are insisting that gender must be reflected in the leadership of committees. If a man is chairman of a committee, a woman must be the deputy and vice versa.
16:30
As it stands, members of each committee will select the leadership of each committee. A former chairman of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, Ahmadu Ali, said that decision is taking a risk arguing that the leadership of Committees may be skewed to favour certain parts of the country if the responsibility for the selection is taken away from the Conference leadership.
His assertions were followed by shouts of “No, no, no” from the gallery by delegates who still insisted that the Conference should select Chairmen of Committees.
16:27
The plenary moves on to deals with appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees.
Delegates are expected to indicate the committees they want to serve. But the contentious issue is how leadership of committees are chosen or appointed.
The proposal for Principal officers of the conference to appoint committee leaders was voted down twice. The plenary will consider other options.
16:22
Ahmadu Ali said that democracy was the most difficult form of government. He said that the leadership of Committees may be skewed to favour certain parts of the country if the responsibility for the selection is taken away from the Conference leadership.
This was followed by shouts of “No, no, no” from the gallery by delegates who still insisted that the Conference should select Chairmen of Committees.
16:20
The Chairman, Kutigi put the question and the Conference rejected the provision in the Rules that empowered the leadership to appoint Chairmen of the Committees. He put the question the second time and the “Nays” still carried the day.
16:19
Bolaji Akinyemi, Conference Vice Chairman explained that the issue at stake was the appointment of Committee Chairmen and not about the nomination of members to Committees.
16:18
This was again opposed by a representative of retired military officers, who insisted that in Vision 2020 Committee, it was the members of the various sub-committees that were set up.
16:17
Albert Horsfal said also supported the idea that the Conference leadership should select the leadership of the Committees.
Florence Ita-Giwa supported the motion that the leadership should select the leadership of Committees.
A motion was formally moved to allow the Secretariat select the Chairmen for the 20 Committees to be constituted by the Conference.
16:15
A delegate who was also a member of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Political Reform Conference said the leadership of the Conference should select the Committee Chairmen.
16:13
A delegate suggested that two representatives from each geo-political zone should join the leadership to serve as members of the Selection Committee for the appointment of Chairmen of Committees.
A female delegate said she supports the motion that two delegates from the geo-political zones but added that a woman should be involved.
16:11
There is a mild row as the Chairman insists that the issue of consensus will be revisited.
Debate has, however, moved to page 12 of the Rules book.
16:10
The Chairman has just called the Conference to session and sought to move to Order 7 but delegates shouted that two-third majority should be adopted.
16:06
Welcome to the afternoon session of the plenary.
Delegates are gradually returning to the hall after observing two hours lunch break. Some delegates complained that the food didn’t go round while other said it was not appetizing. A lot of them sent their drivers out to get them food and water, while hanging outside with other colleagues.
Majority of the delegates are already seated but it is difficult to determine whether the number meets the required quorum as adopted.
The leadership has just taken seats and the Conference is about to resume plenary.
14:25
Ayo Adebanjo argued and pointed out to the Chairman and said when a judge doesn’t want to grant bail to a suspect, he gives him an impossible condition. He argued that it would be difficult to get 75%. He asked the Chairman to tell him anywhere in the world where 75% was used as a benchmark for taking decisions. We should move with the world. Why are we always using the Nigerian factor? Don’t let us fail by giving us condition that is unattainable in any part of the world. We should use two-third majority to take decisions here, my Lord.
14:17
Hassan Adamu thanked the Chairman for his patience and leadership. He said if a consensus can’t be reached, the closest is two-third majority is used. There is no need to raise tempers on this issue. Mr. President had said when we are here, we will be discussing like Nigerians. We are going to make concessions. The way forward is to make consensus and the consensus is 75 percent.
14:14
Tension is building up inside as the Chairman consistently recognizes delegates to the left of the gallery.
14:15
Gani Adams said the Conference is very important, having waited for it for over 20 years. Mr. Chairman we are here to make history. I will suggest that we support two-third majority.
Gambo Jimetta warned the delegates that in view of the anomalies which necessitated past Constitutional Amendments. He said the Conference was borne out of the various misconceptions among the peoples of the country. He said with what is going on, the Conference would rather cause more problems. A simple thing like getting 75% would be difficult to get with the present mindset of the delegates. We should be very careful so that we don’t come here to destroy what we were come to build. We will resist attempts by any group to constitute themselves to block the Conference from taking its decisions. That will not work. That will not work.”
13:53
Adolphus Wabara cautioned against intimidating the Conference leadership and advised the leadership not intimidate the delegates. Mr. Wabara supported Ayu’s argument and asked that the Conference time be left as it were. “We should demarcate between principal officers and the presiding officers,” he said. “We are responsible people. I have seen people close to 90 years here and who are not complaining. That is how it should be.”
The Chairman put a question and delegates vote in favour of retaining the provision of Rule 5(7).
Mike Ozokhome referred to Order 6 (4) said it would be difficult to discuss it without recourse to Order 11 (1&2) which has to do with voting procedure.
He said ¾ means 75, meaning 369, saying it is bogus, elephantide” said a lot of issues will draw so much emotions and primordial sentiments. When issues like state police, regionalism, will come up, it will be difficult to get 75 percent to agree. Second problem is that there will be a tyrannical minority, meaning that a minority could defeat a major decision and moved that a two third majority used in global legislative practice be adopted.
“You have no power to veto anything here. You cannot veto on anything here,” a member is screaming on top of his voice as it seems the Chairman has vetoed Order 6.
On the membership of committees, Kutigi said each delegate will decide which committees they wish to belong. He, however, refused to recognized those, who are shouting that he has no powers to veto any part of the Conference Rules.
13:51
Awal Rasfsanjani said since the Conference is organized to address some of the problems some of the delegates created for the country, those who are too tired to endure the rigours of the Conference should resign. He said that the Conference was too serious for delegates to toy with.
Chinoso Obasi, arguing that the outcome of the Conference would benefit his generation, supported the amendment to Order 5 (7) and suggested that the 2pm-4pm lunch break was too much, saying that the three-month meant for the Conference was not enough to exhaust the concerns of Nigerian Students alone.
13:35
A delegate drew attention to Order 5 (7) and said that the sittings of the Conference should not be addressed by representatives of the various groups, arguing that time should be created so that as many members as possible be allowed to speak. He even proposed that the Conference should start earlier and end by 5pm to enable delegates get to home on time considering the security situation in the country.
13:34
Abubakar Galadima said it is natural for officials at the high table to always look to the right. He said he pitied the Chairman to make the Conference all-inclusive. He also suggested that care should be taken to ensure that majority decisions are taken, saying that in using the voice votes, the Chairman must always listen attentively before dropping the gavel.
Justice Gunmi drew attention to Order 4 (4) and suggested that the clause be changed to read, “Form” instead of the word, “Reach,” saying that quorum is formed and not reached.
13:00
Georgiana Ngieriwaga from Bayelsa State drew attention to the word “present” and said that a quorum is not a human being to be present. She, therefore, called for the word to be changed or removed.
12:59
A delegate suggested that the Presidential inaugural address should be referred and added that a critical mass of delegates should be available to endorse every decision of the Conference. He suggested that quorum should be based on a simple majority.
12:58
Uwazurike from South-East referred to Order 4 (1) and suggested that the word, “Committee” should be added.
The Chairman said Order 4 (3) has taken care of the suggestion.
12:55
The Chairman put the question and it was deleted.
Mike Ahamba called on the Chairman to look at the right side of the gallery.
Femi Falana called for the leadership to take charge of the House, saying that the zigzag way proceedings were moving was not helpful. He argued that the Rules should be taken one at a time and after the Chair has ruled, no delegate should be allowed to go back to raise issues on such matter. He, therefore, moved that the Conference moved to Order 3, Rule 3.
Order 3, Rule 1 was amended to read “breach of violation.”
12:53
Attah said so much time was being spent on the Rules without making progress. He supported the amendment and called for Order 3, Rule 3a be deleted.
The Chairman put the question and it was deleted.
12:52
A delegate, Musa Sale drew attention to Order 3, Rule 3, and said that some delegates may belong to two or more committees and asked that the Rule must be amended to address such situations.
Adeola Akinyemi drew attention to the language of the Rules and advised that it should reflect the gender character of the membership.
12:45
The plenary has adopted Order 1, Rule 2 of its rules. The amendment ensures that rules made by the Chairman and Vice Chairman be referred to the Conference for approval.
Order 2 Rule 2 was also adopted after some disagreements. That order gives the president a time frame to replace the leadership of the conference when a vote of no confidence is passed.
Obiora Ike argued that the Conference lacked the powers to direct the President to carry out any action.
The plenary is a little uncoordinated at the moment, as the delegates randomly make comments distorting a sequential adoption of rules. Delegates go back and forth in making amendments to the Rules, thereby slowing down the business of the Conference.
12:25
The power to make amendment to the rule is vested to the conference.
Mohammed Kabiru Jibrin, every item must follow proper procedure, discussion must be on item by item.
12:23
Remi Olatubora from Ondo state said it is good that the procedure is being considered line by line, but he said their could be point of references. There are internal inconsistencies that may call for cross referencing.
12:19
Bisi Adegboye,Ogun, he said some delegates refused to come on Thursday to collect copies of the rules as directed, they should not therefore, stop the proceedings for their own failings
12:18
Chairma Kutigi said rules Will be adopted only after comments and observations.
12:16
Chris Agbonye lawyer, said document is yet to be adopted. He said it Has to be adopted first before delegates look at it. He Moved a motion for the discussion on the proposed document.
12:15
Femi Mimiko Ondo, asked the chairman to always look at people sitting by extreme ends. He said he Got copy of his rules only today. He Proposed that delegates take time to peruse and come to plenary tomorrow to adopt.
12:10
Leader of the Labour Party, Dan Nwanyawu complained that a situation where delegates queued for over an hour before being allowed into the venue of the Conference is unacceptable. He also advised that the secretariat should be up and doing, adding that all Conference documents should have been dropped on the seats of delegates before the commencement of the session.
11:46
About 20 Committees will be constituted by the Conference. This is based on the list of Proposed Committees distributed to delegates.
These are Committee on Devolution of Power, Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government among others.
11:45
A member drew the attention of the conference to the way some delegates speak to the press, saying that he read on a newspaper about a delegate who claimed to have come to the Conference to stop President from contesting the 2015 elections.
11:43
Complaints about the snag at the entrance is still coming. Leader of the Labour Party, Dan Nwanyawu complained that a situation where delegates queued for over an hour before being allowed into the venue of the Conference is unacceptable. He also advised that the secretariat should be up and doing, adding that all Conference documents should have been dropped on the seats of delegates before the commencement of the session.
11:42
After the 10 minutes recess to allow stranded delegates enter the plenary, draft Work Plan for the Conference is distributed to delegates. The document outlines the daily activities of the Conference.
A list of Proposed Committees distributed to delegates shows that about 20 Committees will be constituted by the Conference. .
These are Committee on Devolution of Power, Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government among others.
11:03
Femi Falana has just raised a point that the situation where delegates are almost compelled to register their names and emails and other addresses before being given Conference document was cumbersome. He suggested that the registration be suspended and carried out on a later time. Mr. Falana said the Rules cannot be adopted until all the delegates were around and the document read out so it is considered clause by clause.
The Chairman, called for an adjournment for 10 minutes to enable all those stranded outside the gallery to come in.
This was accepted by all the members.
11:02
Minutes of meeting adopted. Discussion on the proposed rules now about to commence. The next item after the adoption of the rules will be announcement by the chairman. Some of the announcements include the work plan and how proposed committee will be distributed. He will also announce adoption of proposed committee structure and group classification.
Another announcement will be indication of committee interest. Chairman will also announce call for submission of paper on thematic issues highlighted under various committees. The papers should be submitted on or before the close of business on Thursday 3rd April 2014.
The last item under announcement is Memo from the public?
Also on today’s agenda is discussion of issues from the Presidents speech of 17th March.
11:00
An elderly delegate just walked pass now complaining that he has not been able to find his seat. he is still walking down the gallery and there is nobody to assist him in finding his seat.
About 96 percent of the delegates are already inside the gallery. The Vice Chairman has just moved a motion for the Proceedings to be adopted. It was agreed that the motion be moved by a delegate.
10:59
Professor Ivara Esu suggested that the Proceedings should be sent to the emails of delegates so they study it on time and effect the necessary corrections instead of distributing them during plenary. He said mailing the document to the members would save time.
Musa Dede that security details attached to some of the delegates have outnumbered the delegates and should be checked. He argued that former governors and other delegates who come with such security details should leave them at the gate. “My Lord, the security details outnumber delegates and are making it difficult for people to come here.”
A former AIG, Mr. Abubakar while supporting Dede, said there was need to give the benefit of the doubt to those, who really need to come into the premises with their aides. These suggestions were noted by the Chair.
A female member observed that security agents were shouting at the door to the gallery and advised that the arrangements should be properly made. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa suggested that names of delegates should not be indicated in every correction made to avoid having a very voluminous Vote of Proceedings.
10:51
A screen located in front of the gallery is now displaying names of delegates present at the gallery from number 101 which carries the name of Kola Jamodu.
The page displayed shows that only three members are yet to arrive at the chamber. Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara has just arrived has just walked in and is going round searching for his seat. Mr. Wabara spots a while buba and shokoto with an Igbo traditional red cap.
10:46
Based on the order paper, the delegates will consider and adopt the rules earlier circulated to them by the confab secretariat today. But it appears the hassle of entering the conference venue needs to be redressed before main issues are discussed.
Isa Aremu: The administrative procedure are too cumbersome, many are absent now when minutes are being corrected, not because they are not here, but because they are held either at the gate or registration processes.
Musa Adede suggested that traditional rulers and top government functionaries who drive long convoys should leave their escorts outside the gate because it is crowding the gate. This is one of the problems we face in this country.
Some of aged members of the conference come with luggage which they cannot carry by themselves, requiring them to bring escorts, thereby heightening the clusters at the gate.
10:38
Based on the Rules of Procedure to be adopted today, a delegate can only speak and be recognized from his or her designated seat. Therefore, it is very important for delegates to locate and be on their assigned seats.
There are no microphones attached to seats and so it is becoming difficult for delegates to be head from the gallery. Some of them speak on the floor without using microphone. They are currently reviewing their rules of Proceedings.
10:36
The traffic again is very crazy as one approaches the Conference venue. Security operatives who keep the gates and control traffic are causing confusion in their bid to check persons going into the NJI premises.
Those going towards the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Utako should use alternative routes and avoid the Life Camp/Utako Road that passes through the Conference venue to avoid being held up in the traffic.
Today’s plenary promises to be very interesting. Seats have been carefully marked; with names of delegates tagged accordingly.
The National Anthem was played at exactly 10.02 am to signal the beginning of the Conference. The National Prayer which is the Second Stanza of the National Anthem was recited while delegates stood to their feet.
The Vice Chairman, Bolaji Akinyemi called for the adoption of the Proceedings of the previous session. Delegates are currently making observations and corrections on the document.
