Confab Begins Today, Report May Go To NASS As President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurates the National Conference today in Abuja, the outcome of the historic dialogue will be sent to the National Assembly as executive bills with some former members of the National Assembly expected to facilitate the process, LEADERSHIP can authoritatively report. Although a section of the country remains sceptical about the confab especially since it has no legal backing, a Presidency source told our correspondent yesterday that the Presidency is not unaware of the ‘lacuna’ but the outcome will take care of it. Last week, the Northern Elders Forum spared no word in condemning the conference and said the recommendations will have no consequence. “The planned National Conference has no constitutional basis or any form of legitimacy or authority to speak for the people of the North or other Nigerians. Its proceedings, conclusions and recommendations are, therefore, of no consequence and will not be accepted by the people of the North. The critical issues of national development are fairly well known and can be incorporated in amendments of the constitution. “The North must work with other Nigerians to seek more legitimate avenues for discussing the nature and future of the Nigerian nation, including all options which may be negotiated with other Nigerians,” the communiqué of the Forum reads in part. But speaking with our correspondent, a top official of the Presidency said that the federal government will surprise the cynics by ensuring that the outcome receives legal backing and by implementing all the recommendations. “President Goodluck Jonathan is not unaware of the criticism and cynicism of the conference from a section of the country and we are working on that to prove the cynics wrong. I want to assure you that the outcome of the National Conference will not only be given the necessary legal backing by way of sending it to the National Assembly as Executive Bills but the implementation will also begin immediately,” the source said. According to him, the plan is to work with some former members of the National Assembly who are part of the conference in ensuring accelerated passage of every bill that originates from the outcome. “Go and check the list of the members of the conference; you would see some members that are drawn from the former members of the National Assembly and these people know the terrain very well and their experiences would be useful in handling the outcome of the conference,” he said. When reminded of the outcome of the Political Conference sponsored by the Obasanjo administration that has no impact on the polity despite the fact that it was sent to the National Assembly, the government official said, the dispensation is different. “With due respect, former President Obasanjo had his reasons for the conference and President Goodluck Jonathan has his reasons too, and one of the reasons for this conference is to address some issues that are militating against peace, unity and development of the country and this is why the outcome matters most to this government.” LEADERSHIP checks revealed those who may be used by the Presidency to woo the National Assembly on the outcome of the confab. The list contains names of those representing the Former Senators Forum and their counterparts in the House of Representatives. They are Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe, Senator Abdullahi Bala Adamu, Senator Muhammed Ibrahim, Senator Nnamdi Eriobuna, Senator John K. Brambaifa and Senator Iyabo Anisulowo. Others include former speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Ghali Umar Na’Abba, his deputy, Hon Chibudom Nwuche, Hon (Chief) Obi Anoliofo, Hon Umar Kareto Lawan, Hon Musa Elayo Abdullahi and Hon Sheik M. Sekoni. Former speakers of the State Houses of Assembly also have delegates and they are Hon (Chief) Anayo Nnebe, Hon Abudssalam Taofiq Olawale, Hon Ignatius Kevin Edet, Hon Habu Isa Ajiya, Hon Mohammed Yaro and Hon Terseer Tsumba. They represent the six geo-political zones. Aside from these delegates, the confab also parades the likes of former Senate president, Senator Ken Nnamani (South East), Sen Florence Ita-Giwa (South South), Sen Ibrahim Mantu (North Central), Sen Femi Okurounmu (South West), Sen Gbemi Saraki (North Central) Sen Musa Adede (South South) and a host of others. Leadership.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:30:45 +0000
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