POLITICAL leaders under the aegis of South-West Consultative Forum for National Conference have commended President Goodluck Jonathan for “buying” into the idea of a national conference, saying criticisms of the plan are borne out of “selfish” political interests.Addressing journalists in Lagos Sunday, after a closed-door meeting, the forum’s coordinator, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, described the timing of the conference as “divine” because next year marks 100th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates.The meeting, which had in attendance representatives of various interest groups within the region, was aimed at fashioning out modalities for the conference as they expected the visit of the Senator Femi Okunrounmu-led Presidential Advisory Committee of National Dialogue on Thursday.Braithwaite said the conference is needed to “strengthen the basis of the continued union of this great country on the terms of the people of this country as we were joined together by fiats of the British colonialists and not through dialogue.“We must caution politicians whose interest in the national conference is to seize power for their selfish political gains. We know those opposing it are doing so for there selfish interest.”Braithwaite also opposed the position of President Jonathan to send the report of the national dialogue to the National Assembly, saying the present legislators are products of a “defective” 1999 Constitution which clothes rogues in government with immunity.According to him, the outcome of the conference must not be subjected to the approval of the National Assembly, but a referendum, which should bring about a new constitution that would rebirth Nigeria.“The National Assembly is a product of a defective constitution that was imposed by the military in 1999 and the people’s decision cannot be subjected to such assembly. The conference should have the adequate representation of all ethnic nationalities, civil society organisations, professional bodies, women and youths in the country.“We caution that the template for the conference must recognise all ethnic nationalities that make up the country, representation must be through the six geo-political zones basis.”The popular lawyer and politician also clarified that the advocates of the national conference are not in any way, calling for the “dismemberment” of Nigeria but a dialogue to redefine the basic existence of the country.
Figure 1: Ethnic Nationalities Groupings of Nigeria (Pronaco 2006)
Figure 2: Ethnic Linguistic Divisions of Nigeria
Figure 3: Thirty-Six State Structure of Nigeria
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