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

From the National Conference stable

At the Fourth plenary of the ongoing National Conference,26-03-2014.

Please find the updates below in reverse order

17.46

The mood in the hall is very relaxed now, unlike earlier in the day. Delegates are seen chattering in friendly manner across all regions.

The Chairman returned from the meeting with the 49 wise men and announced that tremendous progress was made. He added that they could not finish and therefore announced adjournment till Monday.

He also advised the selected delegates to brief their colleagues possibly on Monday on the outcome of the meeting.

He warned delegates to conduct themselves in good manner. Many delegates would be ashamed of themselves if they had seen footage of their behavior yesterday and said such should not repeat itself.

The Conference has adjourned till Monday.

16.58

The delegates are back into the hall and are seated for the evening session to commence.

11.13

Due to the the unresolved issue of two-third or 75%, the Chairman directed his Deputy to call out a long list of delegates to meet with him and discuss the tense issue 2/3 and 75%.
Chairman Kutigi said the meeting will commence immediately at a separate hall and he announced adjournment till 4pm.

10.48

Felicia Sani supports call for memoranda so that the whole country will be involved.

The Lamido Adamawa, Aliyu Mustapha, warned that for three days he attempted to speak was not given the chance. He warned delegates not to take imitate the so called civilized western conference because they are always after their own interest and they are willing to go to any length to achieve their aims.

He said he was surprised at the behavior of some delegates. He said the President had already told the conference what to discuss or not.

Lamido Adamawa said there is a state in Cameroon called Adamawa, his second home.

He said some “so called elders who claim to be the supporters of the president…” at this point there was a massive shout of “NO NO…” from the delegates. Despite chairman Kutigi’s plea they continue to shout down the royal father.
The Lamido however stood his ground and warned the delegates that they risk disintegrating the country by their behaviour.

He said his kingdom transcend Nigeria and Cameroon and his people has somewhere to go if the country disintegrates….

“There is a state in Cameroun called Adamawa and if I run to that place, I can easily assimilate”

He concluded by saying if they are pushed to wall, they can easily walk out of this country.

“Jingoism is not the preserve of anyone” he said

10.45

Josephine Anenih, said delegates should go back to their constituencies and get their inputs or in the alternative, conference should just go ahead with its work plan which is already loaded.

10.44

A delegate, Bello Haliru said the conference advisory committee had already gone round to collect memo from Nigerians. He advised the secretariat to get those Memo for consideration.

Another delegate, Kunle Olajide, memo were specifically tailored for the organizing of the conference. “It will be right and proper to ask Nigerians to send in their memoranda”

.

10.42

Proceedings have commenced and the Chairman just asked delegates whether or not the conference intends to call for Memorandum from the public

10.41

delegates at todays plenary session

Picture of delegates chattering in groups and waiting for the arrival of Principal Officers.

Picture showing arrival of delegates

Second Plenary sitting of the delegates at the National Conference

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.