President Goodluck
Jonathan has approved the membership and terms of reference of the Federal
Government’s Advisory Committee on National Dialogue/ Conference.
In a statement on
Tuesday night by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja ,
Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, named; Senator
Femi Okurounmu, committe chairman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Dr. Akilu
Indabawa,Secretary; a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof.
George Obiozor; Senator Khairat Gwadabe; Senator Timothy Adudu, Col. Tony Nyiam
(retd), Prof. Funke Adebayo, Dr. Mairo Amshi, Dr.
Abubakar Sadiq, Alhaji Dauda Birma, Mallam Buhari Bello and Mr. Tony Uranta.
The committee which has
one month within which to conclude its assignment, will be inaugurated by
Jonathan at the State House on October 7.
The terms of reference of
the committee are:
·
to consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a
view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national
dialogue/conference;
·
to make recommendations to government on structure and
modalities for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
·
to make recommendations
on how representation of various interest groups at the national
dialogue/conference will be determined,
·
to advise the government on a time frame for the national
dialogue/conference; its legal framework, legal
procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the
national conference into the constitution; and
·
to advise the government
on any other matters that may be related or incidental to
the conference.
Jonathan said he decided
to set up the advisory committee to establish the
modalities for the national dialogue or conference.
“I expect the
report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on
the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the dialogue/ conference,” he added.
The announcement was
well received by the pan-northern socio-cultural organisation , the Arewa
Consultative Forum, the Afenifere, Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, the Ijaw National Congress and the two Peoples Democratic
Party factions.
The Arewa Consultative
Forum National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, said, “You
would note that ACF has made it clear that it is not opposed to a national
dialogue so long as the aim is to strengthen the unity and diversity of
this country, since the concept of nationhood presupposes that the people can
come together and unleash their synergy by living up to collective challenges
for public good, provided such a dialogue is not in the form of SNC that
amounts to a vote of no confidence in our democracy and its institutions,
which no group has the right to do.”
Chief Seinde
Arogbofa, Afenifere Secretary in his own comment said, said, “We don’t have to
pre-empt the terms of reference of the committee. We must appreciate the head
of state for allowing Nigerians to talk about our problems.
“We should be talking
about issues of security, youth unemployment and the right structure. We
believe that with a true federal system, all other things will automatically
fall into place. The issue of resources will be taken care of if we have the
right federal structure.”
While the
Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, said that “all peace-loving Nigerians
must commend” Jonathan for the initiative.
He said, “He has
pulled Nigeria back from the brink. Jonathan has saved Nigeria by choosing a
forum for talking rather than shooting. It is a welcome deviation from the past
when former Presidents were foot-dragging on the issue.
“Let us restart
our association envisaged in the 1914 amalgamation statement. Let us kick-
start the system so that all Nigerians can very truthfully say they are
Nigerians.” and “ bring an end to the abracadabra in the country
since 1966,” since it would give the people the opportunity
to “discuss and say how we are to relate with one another.”
However, it will be
important to allow the committee to do their job; there should be no limitation
to what should be discussed.
Elder Joseph Fagbola, an
elder statesman in his own contribution made it clear that, ‘’we need to wait and see how this National Dialogue differs
from the previous ones held during the administrations of Gen Babangida and Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo respectively. The issues at stake are clear and they must be
included in the agenda to be drawn by the Committee for discussion and
agreement of the National dialogue.
Among these are:
I.
True Federalism.
II.
Devolution of Power to the states
III.
Fiscal Autonomy &Discipline
At All levels of Governance
IV.
Rule of Law
V.
State Local Government
& Neighborhood Police
VI.
National Security
VII.
Social Justice and
VIII.
Census
Manipulation, arrogance and mediocrity must not come to play,
and the agreements reached must be submitted for referendum and thereafter
promulgated into law as the Constitution’’
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