THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ABUJA: MY INTERIM REPORT. BY CHIEF MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN CONSTIITUTIONL LAWYER AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DELEGATE INTRODUCTION I deem it necessary after the first two weeks of my attendance at the National conference to send this interim report to our revered Royal fathers, the Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo state intelligentsia, leaders and members of Benin Forum, Afenmai Forum, Etsako Club 81, Usagbe Club of Nigeria, Pyramid Club of Nigeria, Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network, Isadus Convention, Women, Youth, students and the generality of Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora. MY REPRESENTATION: THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE It would be recalled that i was unanimously nominated by the Afenmai people of Edo State to represent them at the National Conference as an ethnic nationality at Auchi Polytechnic, sometimes in early February, this year. My nomination was proposed by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe II, and was unanimously accepted by all and sundry. My name was duly sent to the Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who promptly approved same and forwarded it to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON. This was in fulfillment of the guidelines rolled out by the Federal Government in convoking the National Conference. THE MYSTERIOUS SUBSTITUTION OF MY NAME Surprisingly and to the amazement of all, my name was mysteriously substituted with another person’s, for the Afenmai people, without their consent or approval. The person who was imposed on the Afenmai people never attended any of the meetings of the Afenmai people held variously in Benin and Auchi, nor was he present at the meeting of all Edo state delegates called by the Governor to strategize on a common position for our people. I had presented memoranda and I had also spoke at these fora. the Afenmai people felt short-charged. Our people kicked. Our Royal Fathers rejected this brazen imposition. Our youth, women, students and the Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network protested, with some demonstrating on the streets of Auchi. Afenmai people, led by our revered Royal fathers also led a powerful delegation, headed by the Otaru of Auchi, H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe 11, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to protest this imposition and neo-colonialism. In the delegation was the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRM, Alhaji A. Y. E Dirisu, OON, the Aidonojie of South Ibie, HRH, Oba Kelvin Danesi, Afenmai Forum President, Chief Joseph Arogundade and its immediate past President, Surveyor S. J. Ojeikere. To the glory of God, the President of Nigeria ordered that my name be included on the delegates list, but this time as a special Federal Government delegate (Addendum). I therefore thank you all for giving voice to the Edo and Afenmai people and to say “NO” to enslavement and external imposition of an unappointed representative. MY ACTIVITIES SINCE INCEPTION OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE I have, robustly, either spearheaded, or contributed to, the major issues that have so far shaped, destined and dominated the conference since its inception on the 17th of March, 2014, when the President inaugurated same. The President’s inaugural speech is herewith attached as an Addendum. VENUE FOR PRAYERS: ANY FOR CHRISTIANS? My parents were Moslems and in our family house, we probably have as many Moslems as we have Christians. I am therefore “blind” to religion as it is a matter of personal conviction by each individual. Even the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Section 38, recognizes every Nigerian’s right to freedom of religion and conscience. The issue of a prayer place had been rightly raised by a delegate, to enable Moslems observe their five daily prayers as prescribed by the Holy Quoran. While commending the chairman and the Secretariat for this noble gesture, I however reminded them that this was the Lenten period for Christians, especially those of the delegates who are Catholics, like my humble self. I therefore respectfully asked if there would be a place for Christians to congregate, fellowship and pray like their Moslem counterparts, for the success of Nigeria and the conference whenever they broke their fast. However, Dr Valerie Azinge, the Conference Secretary informed the delegates about shortage of space at the conference venue, and therefore pleaded with Christian delegates to the Conference to observe their prayers in the comfort of their homes. The matter rested there as all Christians at the centre were quite understanding. Some papers however attempted to misrepresent and read religious meaning into this humble request, leading to delegates on the platform of Christian Association of Nigeria to refute the allegation that Christian delegates had accused the Conference Leadership of bias. The following is their story as captured by SaharaReporters: NATIONAL CONFERENCE: CHRISTIAN DELEGATES DENY ACCUSING LEADERSHIP OF BIAS. The six Christian delegates at the ongoing national conference have denied accusing the conference leadership of bias, as claimed by a front-page report in the Daily Sun of today, headlined, Conference in shocking start: Christian delegates accuse leadership of bias. The paper had written that constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome challenged the provision of praying for Muslims and the exclusion of Christians, saying the same treatment should be meted out to Christians in the interest of fair play. “Some of us are in our Lent period. Since you have provided a place for the Muslims to pray, are you going to do the same for Christians?” the paper quoted Ozekhome as saying. But responding on Wednesday, the six Christian delegates described the report as misleading, as none of them made such contribution. “The attention of the ‘Christian Leaders’ delegation to the national conference has been drawn to misleading media reports on the goings on at the national conference”, Godswill Iyoha Iyoke Esq said on behalf of the group. “The Daily Sun of instant date has this caption: Conference in shocking start: Christian delegates accuse leadership of bias. This was in apparent reference to the contributions of Pastor Tunde Bakare, who introduced himself as a Nigerian on the delegation of Ogun State, and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who humorously introduced himself as ‘a Federal Government Addendum’ delegate. None of these two eminent Nigerians represent Christians at the on-going Confab”. They maintained that for clarity and avoidance of doubt, the Christian delegates to the Confab are Bishop J. D Bagobiri, Barr. J. A. Achimugu, Professor Andrew Haruna, Dr, (Mrs.) Kate Okpareke, Pastor Emmanuel Olatubosun, and Godswill Iyoha Iyoke. TWO – THIRD OR THREE – QUARTER MAJORITY VOTE? THE FOUNDATIONAL BRICK THAT THREW UP CHALLENGES. The vexed issued of what percentage of votes would be required by delegates to pass any issue came up on Monday, 23rd March, 2014, I spearheaded the great debate for the rejection of the three quarter (75%) majority votes provided for in the draft Rules. I had argued, defiling attempts by the Conference Chairman, to rule me out of order, that retention of Order 6 Rule 4 and Order 11, Rules 1 & 2, which provided that decisions would be reached by consensus and where this was not possible, ¾ or 75% majority of delegates present and voting, must vote to accept an issue, was not achievable or realizable, but would serve as an impediment to the success of the Conference. I had argued that Order 6 Rules 4 & 11 and Order 11 Rule 1 & 2, which provide that, “in case of failure to reach a resolution on matter by consensus, it shall be decided by vote of three quarter majority”, was an aberration. In my humble opinion, considering the different matters, some highly emotive and controversial, that would crop up, such as regional federation, fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, State Police, total resource control, citizenship/Indigenship, parliamentary system of government, and others that are on top of the agenda of the conference, it would be difficult to achieve a three quarter majority vote. I said, inter alia: “It would be practically impossible to get any consensus on any issue, just in the same way it would be practically impossible to get people to vote to support an issue. “In all these sensitive matters, can we get up to 75 percent or three quarter of delegates voting for an issue; I do not believe so. “We may end up enthroning a tyrannical minority. If 74 percent vote for an issue and 26 vote against, it means that 74 percent has failed to cross the hurdle. It means that a tyrannical minority of 26 percent will carry the day,” Instead, I advocated for a simple majority or two-third majority vote, which is the world best practice in all Parliamentary proceedings globally. I described the requirement of 3/4 or 75% majority vote to pass any issue as “humongous, elephantine, behemoth and unachievable”. I further argued: ‘My Lord, I want to point out for your attention and that of the delegates that a lot of very controversial and emotive issues will come up at the conference since many of the delegates here represent local and community interests. Under the provision for 75 per cent, for any dissenting voice to get anything done here, it would be very difficult for anything to be achieved. We should therefore go back to the normal practice of two-thirds majority when it comes to voting on any matter, because what this means is that for any decision to be taken no fewer than 369 of the 492 delegates must concur before such can be done”, I had argued further. My views were supported and echoed by Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, Chief E.K Clark, Bisi Adegbuyi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, amongst others Chief Adebanjo equally argued that: “There is no place in the world where matters are decided by 75 per cent of the voting majority. We should not isolate Nigeria when it comes to issues of very serious international and national importance like this. We should go with the world and not play into the hands of those who do not want Nigeria to work.” Adebanjo also urged the chairman of the conference to commune with President Jonathan for possible amendment of the rules of voting”. It is instructive to note that under the subsisting 1999 Constitution, decisions are arrived at by a two-thirds majority vote. I therefore argued that the same Constitutional requirement which I described as global best practice be adopted at the National Conference. Incidentally, while I argued that 75% majority vote was unattainable, some others felt that it is possible to muster such votes, even as they argued that the rules of the National Conference could not be changed after the game had started. This was the position of Professor Auwalu Yadudu, representing North West Zone. This controversial issue was later to polarize the conference and serve as a “dress rehearsal” of the colouration that debates will take when highly contentious, inflammable and controversial issues come up for debate during the Committee and Plenary sessions. On four different occasions, the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris legbo Kutigi, had stood it down, to allow other non-contentious issues to be discussed first. THE ATTEMPT TO ADOPT THE DRAFT RULES INSPITE OF THE NON RESOLUTION OF THE VOTING FIGURE. The following was a fair report by the media of the latter attempt by the Chairman to pass the Rules as having been adopted when the issue of 2/3 or ¾ majority which he stood down on four occasions, had not been resolved. Upon being recognized, I stood up and argued that there was no way we could adopt Rules that were still being debated and therefore inchoate. Here, a fair newspaper report of the proceedings of Tuesday, 24th March, 2014: Justice Kutigi was able to steer the proceedings off the cliff by adjourning the debate on the controversial voting rule on four occasions. But when the matter resurfaced, after the Rules of Procedure were discussed, amended and ready for adoption, the chairman was helpless as some delegates reminded him that discussion on the voting figure had not been completed. When he put up the question for the adoption of the amended rules, a Federal Government delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, raised an objection. Chief Ozekhome argued that the rules could not be adopted because the Conference had still not adopted a voting procedure to do so. “Mr. Chairman,” he began, “we cannot adopt the rules because the Conference had not agreed on any voting procedure. I had drawn the attention of the Conference to this matter (Monday) but we failed to take a position on it. You had stepped down the matter on four occasions we do not have the basis to adopt the amended rules.” He therefore argued that if the female delegate who spoke before him had actually moved a motion for adoption of the incomplete Rules, he was moving a counter motion that the Rules be not adopted. Another delegate, Abdulasami Abdukadir, argued that since the rules were yet to be reproduced to reflect all the amendments made, the document should be taken back and worked upon by the Secretariat. In view of the two motions raised by Messrs. Ozekhome and Abdukadir, a third delegate, Daisy Danjuma, called for a vote to be taken on the motions. Adamu Aliyu, however, challenged delegates to stand firm and take a decision that would mark them out as people who defended the interest of Nigeria. Mr. Aliyu said, “We are here to do justice to what we have done. Doing something else will not help us. The time is now. No amount of shifting will shelve us from facing what we have to do.” IN THE INTEREST OF NIGERIA The Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, said that whatever was done at the Conference, the overall interest of the country should be considered. While he agreed with those routing for consensus, he wondered what would happen when the Conference failed to arrive at one. He said, “There was no reason to come here if there were no problems in Nigeria. If we cannot arrive at a consensus, what will we do? All over the world, two-third majority is used.” Bello Mohammed warned that delegates should not allow the voting procedure to polarise them, adding that Nigerians expected so much from the Conference. “What we are here to do is to look at the issues that are causing problems in this country. We have the opportunity now to sit down and look at which way the country should go. This Conference is not about majority or minority. The Conference is not about my region or your region. What we are talking about is consensus. Anything we can get the people here to agree on should be based on a consensus. Before (Nigeria’s Government) put it there, they must have thought very carefully about it. Let us not come here with agendas. Let’s come here as Nigerians. The idea that some groups are more in number than others will bring problems to this Conference,” he said. A delegate, Idongesit Nkanga, on his part argued that the President had advised that the issues should be treated in the best interest of Nigerians. He said what was playing out on the floor of the Conference was in the interest of those who wanted the status quo to be maintained and those who want change. He, however, spoke in favour of adopting two-third majority in the voting procedure. Jerry Oguenu said delegates could not continue to shelve the decision on the voting procedure and advised that whatever was done should be in the overall interest of Nigeria. “I come from the part of the country where, even before the white man came, we took decisions based on consensus. Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan) had talked about referendum whereas Referendums are based on simple majority. We are taking about adopting two-third majority so we can have something to take to Nigerians and stop pretending and hiding under the guise of preserving what Mr. President said,” he said. The President of the Nigeria Youth Council, Abdulahi Abdulmajeed, said the vote about to be taken was the most important one at the Conference. Mr. Abdulmajeed argued that the basis for taking decisions in the Conference should be that which would unite the country. “If the Conference did not come to discuss the disintegration of Nigeria, then we should do the right thing. As a young person, I want to say that we are exhibiting the same tendencies that have caused the problems the country is facing today,” he said. He said that Nigeria was on the brink of crisis and that only consensus decisions could avert the doomsday. A NEAR FREE-FOR ALL As the floor got heated by shouts and screams from delegates, Frank Nweke Jnr was on his feet throwing his fist towards another delegate headed for him. It took the intervention of other delegates to restrain the two from closing the gap and punching each other. While the hall reverberated with shouts of disagreement, Mr. Kutigi begged and begged the delegates to be calm but his cries fell on deaf ears. When relative calm was restored, Yusuf Abubakar said having listened soberly to the positions of delegates who have spoken, there was need to take decisive actions to move the Conference forward. He argued that since the issues to be discussed and agreed upon at the Conference were more fundamental than constitutional amendment, which is done by two-third majority, delegates should adopt three-quarter majority as voting procedure. A former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Bashiru Albasu, opined that if delegates agreed that a consensus and three-quarter majority could not be attained, then the matter should be referred back to the Presidency. He said, “There are those who have come here to intimidate others with their population and because of that we cannot reach any decision.” When Mr. Kutigi still insisted on going ahead with the adoption of the rules, even in the face of the disagreements, Okon Osun demanded that the Conference be adjourned. ZONE LEADERS SHOULD DECIDE Mr. Osun noted that no decision could be taken and no other business carried out until the procedure for debates was agreed on. Oyebode Akin, a Professor of Law, drew the attention of delegates to the fact that the Conference had no legal framework. “We cannot proceed unless we would have adopted our standing procedure. We do not have a legal framework. We do not want to carry out an exercise that will end in nullity. Let’s go home and sleep on the proceedings of today and believe that there will be more lobbying during the night; so we reconvene again tomorrow to continue. We don’t need to be seen as unserious people in the eyes of the public,” he reasoned. Bola Adeola suggested that since every zone had leaders, the leadership of the zones should meet, discuss and arrive at a consensus. He said each of the parties were digging deep and the deeper the digging, the deeper the Conference was sinking. Atedo Peterside argued that more serious issues will be glossed over if the Conference allowed tempers to continue rising on the voting procedure. He, therefore, advised that the leadership of delegations should meet with the Chairman of the Conference to take a common position on the voting procedure. He said that Nigeria was on the brink of crisis and that only consensus decisions could avert the dooms day. Thus, my observations and contributions finally set the stage for the setting up of a 50 person reconciliation Committee by the Conference Chairman. It shall deal with this anon. WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE FINAL REPORT? The vexed issue of what happens to the final report also cropped up. Some delegates opined that since Mr President empowered the conference, we should simply package our decisions and send to him. In my own contribution, I vehemently opposed and disagreed with the provisions of Order 13 of the draft Rules which provides that, “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 Consultation and laws of the Country.” I argued that the provision was contrary to the inaugural speech of President Goodluck Jonathan who said the decision of the conference could be subjected to a referendum. I further argued that, “Sovereignty belongs to the people. We are representing the people. Whatever we arrive at the end of the day should be taken back to the people for plebiscite or referendum, not to the National Assembly because they will kill it”. This issue was also not quite settled as some delegates, including the chairman, preferred to wait for the time the report is fully ready before discussing where to send it to: whether to the people of Nigeria, the National Assembly or Mr President. However, by my arguments, I had set the tone for the direction the conference should take in terms of what to make of the final result of our deliberations. RIGHT OF DELEGATES TO SPEAK. Order 9 of the Rules provides that: “At Plenary sessions each representative body shall speak through a delegate nominated by the representative body through its leadership” In my contribution, I disagreed with this provision as it was capable of excluding many delegates from contributing to the success of the conference. I argued that even where delegates come from the same zone, they could still have different tendencies in terms of their demands, I argued as follows: “I do not see why three nominees of a state have to speak through one person. They are representing different interests even though they are from the same state. It could be their ethnic group; it could be their local government interest.” It is also important that everyone be allowed to contribute his/her personal views so that people who sent the delegates to the conference would not think erroneously that they had been induced to keep quiet”. DELEGATES’ ALLOWANCES AT THE CONFERENCE. It had been widely publicized that the allowance per conference delegate was N4Million per month, bringing the total to N12Million for the three months duration of the conference. I found this figure to be incorrect, based on the fact that the sum of N1, 460, 000, representing two weeks allowance, was paid into my account, contrary to the sum of N2M which would have been paid if the monthly take-home was actually N4M per delegate. I immediately issued a press release, on this, to tell the world the correct position and what I intended to do with my allowance. I stated that I would not reject it, but would take it and donate it to the needy and less privileged in the society. The media was approvingly agog with my position and published the story with relish in the following manner: I WILL NOT REJECT THE N3 MILLION MONTHLY NATIONAL CONFERENCE ALLOWANCE – OZEKHOME. A Constitutional Lawyer and a Federal Government delegate to the National Conference, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has defended the about N3 million monthly allowance to be paid each delegate. He also said he would not reject his, but distribute it to the less privileged and needy members of the society. Chief Ozekhome confirmed that each delegate would earn about N2.92million monthly and not N4 million. Two delegates, Tunde Bakare, the Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, and Olisa Agbakoba, a former President of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, had earlier said they would reject the allowance. In a statement on Monday, Chief Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the alert he got from his bank at the weekend was that N1.46 million was paid in, representing two weeks allowance. He said if calculated prorata, it would amount to N2, 920, 000. “If we take this as net and assume that 10% was deducted for VAT and Tax, this will bring the gross monthly take home to the N3, 212, 000,” he said. “If the deduction for Tax and VAT constitutes 5% of the gross, then the monthly net take home is N3, 066, 000. Either way, the take home per delegates is more like N3 million, and not the exaggerated N4 million,” he said. He explained that he decided to accept the allowance rather than reject it as Messrs. Bakare and Agbakoba did, because doing so would amount to enriching the government who gave it in the first place. He noted that the skewed Nigerian system where corruption was very rife suggested that the money could develop “wings” and simply “fly” away, or fall into wrong hands within government bureaucracy. “I will not have the means of knowing if it is really returned to the Federation account,” he said. Chief Ozekhome, who was also a member of the defunct National Political Reform Conference, NPRC, in 2005, said the less privileged members of the society could be empowered with the allowance through scholarship and bursary awards, capacity building, skills acquisition, empowerment programmes, such as grants to local women for farming and petty trading, purchase of motorcycles and tricycles for the youth. “I have done this annually since 1990, under the platform of Mike Ozekhome Foundation (MOF), the latest being on the 23rd December, 2013,” the delegate said. “The entire Edo North people can readily testify to this initiative which has wiped off tears from thousands of peasants since 1990. I will now redouble these efforts with this conference.” He condemned those criticising the payment of the allowances, saying “my take on the matter is that all fingers are not equal.” Chief Ozekhome said there were, at the conference, some old impecunious pensioners, who though credible and respected, are not financially and economically grounded. He stressed, “There are the handicapped and physically challenged, the unemployed youth, some poor market women, and other disadvantaged minority groups attending the conference as credible delegates representing their platforms. “I believe, however, that the N3 million paid to each delegate is not too much considering the high cost of living in Abuja, the prohibitive air fares, the dangers inherent in delegates transporting themselves with extra security from rural areas to urban centres where they can take fights, the exorbitant cost of hotel accommodation in Abuja, and the fact that conferees will converge in Abuja for three months, abandon their various business and means of livelihood, to discuss how to retool Nigeria. “For such categories of person enumerated above the allowances will be well earned,” he said. My position was quite popular among delegates who interfaced with me. Comments on the social Media also attest to this. MY CONTRIBUTION ON THE COMPOSTION OF COMMITTEES. On Monday, 31st of March, 2014, the issue of composition of committees kicked off. In my humble contribution, I took up Committees 9 and 11, which deal with Science, Technology and development; and Civil Society, Labour and Sports respectively. I argued against subsuming or burying a crucial segment of our National life such as the Media under the said Committee. I argued that the Media is a critical organ of the Governance, so important and crucial that it is the only one recognized as the 4th Estate of the Realm by Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered. I reiterated that under the said section, the Media is constitutionally obligated to uphold the observance of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution and hold Government accountable and responsible to the Nigerian people. It was my further submission that during the 2005 National Political Reform Conference, the Media was grouped with Civil Society, Labour and Trade Union, a subcommittee which I had the privilege of chairing. I therefore subjected that it be removed as a mere part of the stated Committees and made to assume its rightful life and place with the Civil Society. COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION I also commented on the Committee on Immigration. My argument was that Immigration should not stand alone as a Committee. It should rather be grouped with Customs and Excise, Prisons, Civil Defence and other Para-military agencies that tackle peculiar national security and Immigration matters. THE ICE FINALLY BROKEN: THE CONFERENCE CONTINUES AFTER RESOLUTION OF THE IMPASSE On Monday, 31st March, 2014, the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Legbo Idris Kutigi, announced a solution proffered by the “50 wise men and women”. It is to the effect that all decisions should be arrived at by consensus, and where there is failure of this, 70% majority votes would be required to pass an issue. This suggestion was unanimously carried by the Conference which saw it as a good and workable compromise between the advocates of 2/3 (66%) led by me and the protagonists of ¾ (75%) led by Professor Auwalu yadudu, representing North West. This is because, like I argued later, both sides had lost 3-3% and 5% respectively, while Nigeria was the winner. I was later to describe it as a “win-win” situation. Thereafter, the Conference commenced debate on the President’s inaugural address. This is being done alphabetically. When it gets to my turn and I speak, I will report back to my Constituency on the issues I discussed. OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEBATES I have also, so far, commented on various minor issues that came up for discussion, during correction and amendment of votes and proceedings, general observations and house keeping matters, and so on. ADDENDUM JONATHAN’S SPEECH AT THE INAUGURATION OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR At the Inauguration of the National Conference Monday, 17th March, 2014 PROTOCOLS 1. I am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of this historic National conference which promises to be another significant landmark in our efforts to strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic governance in our beloved country. 2. I also believe that this National Conference is coming at a very appropriate time. Having just celebrated the first centenary of our country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development. 3. This we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation. 4. In our history as a political entity, we have experienced highs and lows but have always forged ahead. To my mind, the fact that we have weathered all storms and continued with the mission of evolving a truly national identity signifies that we are going in the right direction. 5. The strongest nations in the world today also went through their own formative stages; some for decades and others for centuries. We must learn from them that nationhood will not happen overnight, especially given the circumstances of our birth as a nation. 6. History also teaches that nation-building is a journey of dedication, commitment, diligence, perseverance and patriotic vision. To be successful, nation-builders must continually strive to evolve better and more inclusive societies in which every citizen is a proud and committed stakeholder. 7. It was with this objective in mind that we set up the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference in October last year and charged its members with the responsibility of designing the framework and modalities for a productive National Conference. 8. The Committee which submitted its Report in December, 2013, was able to reach out to all Nigerians and various interest groups, socio-political groupings, regional and religious elements, professionals, civil society, the organised private sector, labour, youth, women and others to ascertain their views on the initiative. 9. The Presidential Advisory Committee established that there was indeed, a national consensus for this Conference to be convened immediately, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people. 10. The National Conference is therefore being convened to engage in intense introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our nation and to chart the best and most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of our fatherland. 11. This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation. 12. We cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten themselves out in due course, instead of taking practical steps to overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development and national prosperity. 13. For many years we have discussed and argued over various issues concerning our national existence and well-being. Much of this national discourse has been conducted through the mass media, both print and electronic. More recently, the advent of the age of ICT and social media has greatly enlarged the space for the discussion of our country’s future. 14. Many more young and articulate Nigerians who previously had little access to the traditional mass media have now joined the conversation, motivated by patriotic concern for good governance, peace, stability, justice, equity, fairness and the harmonious co-existence of the diverse groups that make up our great nation. 15. Dear Compatriots, my administration is convening this National Conference today because we believe that we must assume responsibility for ensuring that the long-running national debate on the best way forward for our country is not in vain. 16. It is our expectation that participants in this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesize our peoples’ thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of those recommendations, and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the future of our beloved fatherland. 17. In inaugurating this national conference today, we are not unmindful of the argument of those who say that we do not need such a conference since we already have an elected Parliament and an elected Government in place. 18. As cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build, we must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of ordinary Nigerians. 19. I have heard that majority say, that we need to rebuild trust by involving them in the process of developing a guiding document of our national political relationships which is more acceptable to all sections of the country. I have heard our people say that we need to openly and frankly discuss our problems and seek acceptable solutions instead of allowing them to fester and remain sources of perennial conflict. 20. I have also heard them say that, as the elected representatives of our people, we must never arrogate to ourselves all knowledge and wisdom regarding the development of our country. 21. And I am in full agreement with our people. The power we hold is, without question, in trust for the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people. Their voices must be heard and factored into every decision we take on their behalf. 22. This National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to be discussed. Their representatives at this conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union. 23. Over the years, well-meaning Nigerians have drawn attention to inadequacies in our current constitution. Some have described it as a military-inspired document which does not take into full consideration the genuine desires and wishes of the people. 24. The phrase in the preamble that says “we, the people,” has been variously criticised as being misleading because, according to the critics, the constitution was not written by the people. There are also those who believe that the constitution is not our problem but the political will to faithfully implement it for the peace and progress of Nigeria. 25. While opinions on the matter can be as diverse as rain showers, I believe that irrespective of our personal views on the issue, no one can deny the fact that every constitution is a living document that needs to be revised and improved upon from time to time. The United States, which is the model democracy in the eyes of many, has amended its constitution 27 times since it was first adopted in 1787. 26. Some of our compatriots also believe that because we have held several conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I do not share that view at all. 27. A deeper look will reveal that the challenges we faced before each of the preceding national conferences were different. The challenges of 1956 are certainly not the challenges of 2014, and definitely not the challenges that the nation will face in years to come. It makes sense, therefore, that as the challenges before us evolve, we must be constant and proactive in our search for fresh solutions. We cannot continue to proffer yesterday’s solutions for today’s problems. 28. This conference is open for us to table our thoughts and positions on issues, and make recommendations that will advance our togetherness. The issues range from form of government, structures of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, state and local government creation, boundary adjustment, state police and fiscal federalism, to local government elections, indigeneship, gender equality and children’s rights, amongst others. 29. We must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather, we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria. Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united, stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and reference point at this national gathering. Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests. 30. Indeed, I am quite worried when I hear people say that some participants in this National Conversation are coming here to defend and promote ethnic or clannish agenda. It is very regrettable that there are persons who believe that we cannot undertake any collective task in our country without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after 100 years of nationhood. 31. This conference gives us an opportunity to prove such persons wrong and I believe it will. As we start a new century of nationhood, we have an obligation to reshape and redirect our country for the benefit of our children. There should be no room for divisive cleavages and ethnic jingoism. There should be no room for selfish considerations that defeat the purpose of national progress. There should be room only for the national interest. 32. In the 60s, our country was ranked along with some developing countries including India, Malaysia and South Korea. Today, those countries have moved far ahead of us in several areas. My expectation is that the outcome of this Conference will be a positive turning point for our country’s development. We must seize this opportunity to cement the cleavages and fault lines that tend to separate us. We must re-launch our country. 33. I know the task before you is onerous; but there must be only one winner, and there can only be one winner if we do everything right, and that winner must be Nigeria. I urge you therefore to focus strictly on the Nigerian Agenda. 34. I expect that, as persons of integrity and honour, you will do nothing in this Conference that will undermine our efforts and desire to build a truly great nation. I also expect that your discussions will be informed only by the noblest of instincts and persuasions. 35. Our sole motivation for convening this conference is the patriotic desire for a better and greater nation. We are determined that things must be done in a way and manner that will positively advance that objective. 36. While we recognise that groups and communities are the building blocks of our nation, we must also emphasise that we need one another to build the solid and prosperous country of our dreams. 37. We cannot join hands together to build with a collective vision if we continue to harbour negative biases and prejudices against ourselves. 38. Yesterday’s prejudices should die with yesterday. Today is a new day. This is the dawn of a new era. This is an opportunity to think anew. We must jettison the poisonous mind-sets of the past, which were built on unhealthy competition among our diverse groups and peoples. 39. We need a new mind and a new spirit of oneness and national unity. The time has come to stop seeing Nigeria as a country of many groups and regions. We have been divinely brought together under one roof. We must begin to see ourselves as one community. We are joined together by similar hopes and dreams as well as similar problems and challenges. What affects one part of the community affects the other. 40. An average Nigerian sees every part of the country as home. Let us seize the opportunity of this Conference to do more to further turn our diversity and plurality into unique national resources for strength and greatness. 41. I have always affirmed that our ability to stay together despite our acknowledged differences, when other countries are finding it difficult to meet that challenge, is a powerful statement by Nigeria to the world on the virtues of tolerance and unity. 42. It is a strong and compelling statement in a world much afflicted by strife and violence. We must sustain it. We must not allow the antagonists of unity and togetherness to prevail. We must work ceaselessly to remain one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, as our National Anthem says. 43. Honourable Chairman and distinguished delegates, I urge you not to be under any illusions as you begin your assignment. The task that lies ahead of you is formidable. Over the coming weeks, you will be confronted with complex and emotive issues; strong views will be expressed by opposing sides and some disagreements will, in all likelihood, be intense. 44. I sincerely believe, however, that we can overcome all obstacles to true national unity if we dig deep into the recesses of our national character and look up to God Almighty for wisdom, guidance and the generosity of spirit we need to ensure the success of this conference. 45. Once again, I wish to express my appreciation to the Nigerian people who have, without hesitation, accepted dialogue as a means of resolving all differences and tensions that may exist in the country, and therefore, given their unequivocal support for this National Conference. 46. Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the Constitution. This should be relevant for this Conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises. I therefore urge the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to speed up the Constitutional amendment process especially with regard to the subject of referendum. 47. I thank the Chairman, Senator Femi Okurounmu and members of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the arduous work they undertook to prepare for the Conference. I also thank the Chairman of this National Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, the principal officers and all the distinguished patriots and representatives of our people who have taken time off their busy personal schedules to serve the cause of national unity and progress at this conference. 48. I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us stronger as a nation if we undertake it with all sense of purpose and sincerity. Let us do that which is selfless, purposeful and patriotic so that history will remember us for having served our nation well. 49. In conclusion, I urge all officials and participants in the national conference to work extra hard to ensure that their deliberations are completed on schedule, well ahead of the schedule of events for the next general elections already announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 50. Let me again repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no personal agenda in convening this national conference. 51. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now have the honour and privilege of declaring the National Conference open, for the good of our Nation and to the glory of God Almighty who has brought us together. 52. I thank you all.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 13:44:54 +0000
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