Ayoozone Olaleye wrote 7 hours ago From United Kingdom: Edited Critiquing the FG modalities for National Conference , error there-in and giving a benefit of the doubt! FG stated that “The National Conference shall tentatively last for three months and shall discuss any subject matter, except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable” Firstly, let us look at the arrangement of the words in the above statement, the lexis and the grammar in order to get the real meaning but not the assumed meaning shall discuss any subject matter, EXCEPT the INDIVISIBILITY and INDISSOLUBILITY of Nigeria as a nation…… To me, this means divisibility and dissolubility of Nigeria CAN BE DISCUSSED but the INdivisibility and INdissolubility CANNOT BE DISCUSSED. so let us discuss divisibility. The concluding clause “therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable” thus conveyed the presumed message the FG is trying to communicate. As a matter of fact FG needs to withdraw that statement and correct its error or reconfirm what it actually meant although I can guess it means Nigeria must remain united and indissoluble, and that the conference cannot tamper with that oneness. Secondly, Fair enough, fair point as far as patriotism and Presidential Oath of office is concerned. I will like to caution our brethren who are often impulsive. We need to always STOP and THINK before rushing into judgement or idea-ting. Look outside the box. Apply science and logic. It is true that we are all complaining about the geographical entity or the jointed artificial boundaries called Nigeria but can someone tell me who among the Political leaders, which among the political parties, which among the ethnic groups in Nigeria want(s) Nigeria to divide at the present moment? To help narrow the choices is it Tinubu, Akande, Edwin Clark, OBJ, IBB, Buhari, GEJ, AFENIFERE, AREWA, APC, PDP, LABOUR? HAUSA, IBO, IJAW, YORUBA, IBIOBIO, ITSHEKIRI, IGALA, TIV, FULANI? As for the parties, for example APC, A party that has recently committed huge logistics/ resources/time and energy into reaching all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, will such party move to convene a conference to break Nigeria into pieces as soon as it wins Presidential election? That is why I earlier said let all think deeply and apply logic before any ideation. There is no ethnic, religion or culture in Nigeria that is not complaining of inequality, marginalization and underdevelopment. This imbalance is what the Conference should focus on correcting. For argument sake, the so called divisibility and indivisibility can still be on the agenda to let people assess and appraise the 100 years (1914-2014) of amalgamation of the North and South protectorates and vent their angers about what they do not like in the journey so far in Nigeria Union but the conference shall NOT have powers to divide the nation but make efforts to re-unite everyone and make constitution fair to everyone so that everyone can become free and happy inside one Nigeria. However, if any part of the country e.g Yoruba/SW wants to break away from Nigeria, the way to go about it is to explore the United Nations and before that threshold can be reached, “many things would have happened” in fact Nigeria would have reached almost an ungovernable state and the region would have reached a point of almost speaking in one voice. Now come with me, does it make sense for a President who sworn by the constitution that he will uphold one Nigeria, one nation to suddenly set up a conference with an agenda to break the country? Does anyone envisage that some Military boys who equally sworn to defend the unity of the country can restrict and restraint the President if he ever attempts that even though he may be commander in Chief of the armed forces? Let us be guided. I think what we all clamor for or are all clamoring for is a true federalism, a truly practiced presidential system of government; A government that values her citizens and cares for its health, safety and welfare. A government that abhors wearing a garment of corruption. A government that makes citizens to be proud of flying its flag and happy to sing national anthem and to emotionally shed tears of joy. A government that does not send its brains abroad or chases it youths overseas. A government that places high premium on children, youths and women. I surely, very much doubt, if any thorough job can be achieved in three months. Let us be honest. The word ‘tentatively’ seems to have been inserted to create room for likely extension of time. The fact that FG cannot accurately predict how long the conference will take is unfortunate especially when we Nigerians doubt the credibility of Government to fulfill promises or meet targets. It is a genuine concern for people to doubt the success of the proposed conference due to Government culture of lack of seriousness and deceit. However let us give it another benefit of the doubt even if it turns out to be another 419 at least we would know that the ‘trick no work’ and thus we would not feel insulted but I hope it will work and fervently pray for its success and no matter what Que Sera, Sera ( what will be will be) Ayodeji Olaleye
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 06:40:56 +0000