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Tag: Confab

  • Implement Confab report to honour Clark, Adebanjo – Bode George to Tinubu

    Implement Confab report to honour Clark, Adebanjo – Bode George to Tinubu

    Chief Bode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference to honour  Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark.

    George, a retired Naval Commodore and former military governor of Ondo, made this appeal at a media briefing  on Friday in Lagos.

    Recall reports that Adebanjo, the late leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Orgasation, Afenifere,  died on Feb. 14 at 96.

    Also, Clark, the late Niger Delta Leader, died  on Feb. 17 at 97.

    Both deceased  nationalists  inspired the 2014 Constitutional Conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan,and participated in it .

    Speaking on how to immortalise the duo, George said that the best way to honour them was to release and implement the confab  resolutions, into which they put all their lives’ experiences,in the interest of the nation.

    George said that he got closer to Adebanjo and Clark during the Confab, working in the same sub-committee with them on what type of system that  should be adopted  constitutionally .

    “Mr President, I am appealing to you, today May 2, release the report of the 2014 Confab for the benefit of the people of this country, in the memories of the two old men to immortalise their names.

    “These people (Adebanjo, Clark and other elder statemen) are crying to Tinubu to release and implement that report.

    “The report was unanimously agreed at the plenary session by the delegates, that(implentation) is when we can be at peace.

    “When I saw all the work — the contributions of these two elders—and look at it, they died three days apart, I am not afraid to say we are going to take over from where they started,” George said.

    According to him, it has become imperative for the nation to look at the report right now” that the ship of the state seems to be drifting in terms of economy, politics, security and others”.

    He said that the current system and constitution had become incapable of fulfilling the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Nigeria.

    “It’s not working. It has never worked and it will never work.

    “I am challenging Mr President, release that report in the memories of these two old men because they contributed the best that God has given them.

    “The constitution we are running is defective. It is so military in its is set up. Everything ends with only one man at the Aso Villa as the President,” he added.

    According to him, the most worrisome part  of the constitution is that that  concerns local government administration.

    He added: “What has the local government got to do with the President of Nigeria?

    “Lagos, the most populated state has only 20 LGs and Ogun that is not even up to half of Lagos also has 20; Kano has 44, Jigawa created out of Kano ,has 27, these are inadequacies.

    “Now, every local government at the end of every month collects allocation from the federation account.

    “These were things that were discussed openly at that conference.

    “And these two patriots fought for a new constitution capable of fulfilling the yearnings and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.

    “We can have the United States of Nigeria, reduce the power at the centre. We need devolution of power which the duo advocated before their  passing”

    He said that implementing the Confab would  help resolve numerous challenges facing the country ,including corruption, nepotism, sectionalism and  poverty.

    On security and economic challenges, George urged the President not to relent on  efforts to tackle hardships and security threats.

    According to him, there is also an urgent need to reform the electoral process so  that elections would reflect the will of the people.

    Speaking of recent defections of  some PDP’s bigwigs to  the ruling APC, the PDP chieftain noted that he was yet to fathom what genuinely attracted the defectors to APC.

    George,however,said there was an urgent need to  resolve all internal crises in PDP to build confidence in the party.

    Urging PDP leaders to shelve personal ambition and work for the national interest of the party, George said, “PDP is not finished.”.

  • Why I convened 2014 National Confab – Ex-President Jonathan

    Why I convened 2014 National Confab – Ex-President Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he convened the 2014 National Conference with the intention to create an environment for Nigerians to address issues pushing citizens towards divisive politics and sowing the seeds of discord.

    Jonathan stated this in his remarks at the “2nd Igbo Nsukka Zik Annual Merit Award”, in memory of the first Nigerian President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, on Tuesday in Abuja. The event was organised by Igbo Nsukka United Front.

    At the event, Jonathan was honored with “the Zik’s Merit Award”.

    He said said the inability to manage Nigeria’s diversity was a major stumbling block to the nation’s socio-economic development.

    “When I convened the 2014 National Conference as President, my intention was to create an environment that would enable our citizens to dispassionately address those issues that are pushing us towards divisive politics and sowing the seeds of discord in our polity.

    “I believe that, in a complex and diverse country like ours, the journey of nationhood and march to greatness is not a sprint but a marathon.

    “However, to get it right, we need to do much more to unite our people and integrate our society, in order to build a nation of selfless patriots and citizens, citizens as defined by the Greek philosophers.

    “That is the type of country envisioned by our nationalists.

    “That is the only way to turn our huge population, rich diversity and the outstanding resourcefulness of our people into a positive force that would transform and enhance the greatness of our dear country.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that God Almighty has deposited in our land and in our citizens, the indefatigable spirit and creativity to unite, work and relate in a harmonious way and make our country great,” Jonathan said

    The former president stressed the need for Nigerians to come together and agree on how to strengthen mechanisms and institutions that would promote the harmonization and functionality of their diverse people.

    Jonathan said, that would ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities and inspire harmony, patriotism, justice, peace and sustainable development.

    He expressed his belief that Azikiwe’s ideals, philosophy and wisdom were very relevant at this particular time, as Nigerians sought to chart a way forward for the country.

    He added that Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and other great nationalists did their best to lift the image of our country.

    “The nation owes Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria who was in office from 1963 to 1966, a debt of gratitude.

    “His outstanding role while working with other great nationalists to secure the independence we enjoy today was legendary.

    “Nigerians of different generations will continue to remember his extraordinary efforts towards keeping Nigeria one, and his belief in Nigeria’s greatness anchored on equity, justice and inclusion.”

    Jonathan said that as an indigene of Eastern Nigeria, born in Northern Nigeria and established in Western Nigeria, Azikiwe had a cosmopolitan life experience and disposition that prepared him for his role in the society.

    This, according to him, enabled Azikiwe to envision a progressive Nigeria, whose diverse tribes and tongue would blend to produce a great nation to lead the rest of Africa.

    “Whether as a political leader, author, journalist and media owner, Zik was sincere in his consistent rhetoric about freedom and economic emancipation.

    “He spent most of his life fighting for the progress of this country and the well-being of her people.

    “It is therefore, a thing of great significance that this group chose this very special day to evoke the nationalist spirit and principles of Azikiwe and restore to our consciousness, those ideals that raised our optimism about a cohesive and peaceful nation.

    “A nation that would draw its strength in ethnic tolerance and accommodation and project to the world the beauty of unity in diversity.

    “In those early days, Azikiwe never minced words on his fervent belief and optimism in the great potentials of our uniquely diverse society.

    “He lived and died for one Nigeria, believing that what binds us is greater and more beneficial than what divides us as a people.

    “While most political pundits insist that the potentials for Nigeria’s greatness remains potent, our nation has continued, since independence, to grapple with the consequences of poor management of our diversity and differences.

    Jonathan commended the group for organising the dialogue on the 117th birthday of Azikiwe and for making efforts to preserve his legacies for national unity, in this challenging times.

    Jonathan, also appreciated the solidarity and worm reception he always received from the people of the South East of Nigeria.

    “The unconditional solidarity South Easterners have always accorded me, reinforces my hope in the fact that we can truly fraternize with one another as citizens of one country, no matter our tribe and tongue.

    “It also shows that Ndigbo have accepted me as one of their own, in spite of the fact that I come from the creeks of the Niger Delta.

    “When my grandmother named me Azikiwe, she probably had no inkling of the meaning of the name, other than the fact that she was enamored with the achievements of the great nationalist, the Great Zik of Africa.”

    “I have come to understand that the name symbolizes peace, understanding, greatness and solidarity in unity,” Jonathan added.

  • Isoko, Urhobo hold unity confab on ethnic nationalities

    Isoko, Urhobo hold unity confab on ethnic nationalities

    …tagged those things that bind us together

    …under the co-chairmanship of Gen Omu and Gen Oneya

    The two oldest ethnic nationalities in Delta State, Isoko and Urhobo have concluded plans to hold a one-day unity confab tagged: ‘Those Things That Bind Us Together’ scheduled for June 19 in Warri Delta State.

    Major General Paul Omu, Rtd and Brigadier Dominic Oneya, Rtd will chair the epoch-making unity conference at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Warri, Delta State.

    Special guests of honour, President General Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Dr Taiga and Prof Christopher Akpotu, President General Isoko Development Union, IDU.

    Speakers at the event include: Prof Emewvo Biakolo, Prof Rev Mano-Ben Okpevra, Bishop .O. Itehere and Rev Father Oghenejode Abaka.

    Royal fathers of the day are: His Royal Highness, Ovie R.L Ogbon Oghoro 1 , His Royal Highness, Okpuzo R Ejimememe Inana 1 of Owhe Kingdom.

  • Reports of 2014 confab can solve Nigeria problems if implemented – Falae

    Reports of 2014 confab can solve Nigeria problems if implemented – Falae

    Olu Falae, National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Presidential Candidate of defunct All People’s Party (APP) in 1999 has declared that all the socio-economic and political problems that bedevil the country can be resolved if the more than 600 resolutions reached at 2014 National Confab conducted by Goodluck Jonathan-led Presidency were implemented by government of the day.

    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was one of active Yoruba leaders that participated at the National Confab, noted that resolutions reached at the Confab already contained the much-talked-about socio-economic and political restructuring, saying a level of considerable autonomy is guaranteed for the regions and federating units.

    Speaking on a radio programme in Akure on Saturday, Falae said, “No doubt, I want to say again, restructuring is the answer where regions and federating units have considerable autonomy.

    “With Some little modifications to reflect the current situations, we have to bring back the authentic constitution at Independence which the Military threw away. That report of the 2014 Confab is going to be the future of Nigeria because during the Confab we had a discussion and listened to one another on issues and we agreed on consensus.”

    But, when SDP National Chairman was asked about his role in the $2.1 billion arms scandal allegedly traced to Sambo Dasuki, retired Colonel and Ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), he insisted that he had no link with the former National Security Adviser who is standing trial for money laundering.

    The elder statesman said the money he received in the run-up to the 2015 General election was N100 million from the People’s Democratic Party through Tony Anenih on behalf of his party, SDP, adding he had not met Dasuki in the last 30 years.

    He said when he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) some time ago, he showed EFCC the bank statement of his party on how the transactions were made, adding that the whole process was purely an agreement between his party and the PDP.

    “Let me say again that I never had anything whatsoever to do with Dasuki in the last 30 years when I saw him last was when he was the ADC to General Ibrahim Babaginda in 1986.

    “The only money I have received on behalf of my party was from the PDP not Dasuki. The PDP approached my party in the run up to the 2015 general election and we had an agreement. It was three days to the election that Chief Tony Anenih sent me N100 million being the Chairman of my party to enable us campaign for our joint candidate.

    “In our Constitution as a party – SDP, the Chairman is in charge of raising funds for the party and before the money came from PDP, I had advanced my party with N100 million and when the money came, I still sent N76 million, making a total of N176 million that came from me to my party”, he clarified.

  • Restructuring: PRONACO set to reconvene its peoples confab for Nigeria

    …adopts 2007 Peoples’ draft Constitution as Confab Proposal

    Pro National Conference Organization, PRONACO, a Pan Nigerian Movement initiated under the leadership of Late Chief Anthony Enahoro and Prof Wole Soyinka to resolve Nigerian perennial Constitutional challenges, has announced plans to reconvene its adjourned National Confab following the persistence of the logjam over the Restructuring of Nigeria

    According to the group’s Spokesperson, Olawale Okunniyi who addressed the press in Lagos on Monday, the move to reconvene the Nigerian peoples’ Confab, which adjourned in May 2007 has become necessary following series of consultations with eminent Leaders of thought and we’ll meaning political leaders in the country over Restructuring and self determination agitations of the Nigerian people.

    He said “PRONACO would not like to watch the country slide into a major civil strife before invoking its standing mandate to intervene in the worrisome political tension and ethnic acrimony currently embattling the country’s political space owing to contentions over the constitutional structure of Nigeria.

    The Confab group however hinted that it will soon interface with President Muhammadu Buhari, who incidentally was the most senior ally and backer of the Movement from the north while its Confab lasted in 2007 on the urgent need to convene a government driven national consultative panel to advise him on how to proceed on the contentious matter rather than allow it degenerate into a major distraction for governance in the country.

    PRONACO Secretariat, while commending the role of political leaders such as Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their resourceful interventions so far said it has finalized plans to request some other frontline National Leaders in the country to play key roles towards the success of the proposed peoples Confab tentatively billed to commence in a consultative mode in January 2018.

    “Some of the eminent Leaders of thought already identified to play key roles as stabilising forces at the proposed peoples ‘Confab include; Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, Dr Ahmed Jodah, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Dr Paul Unongo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Usman Bugaje among others from the Northern and southern divide of the country”.

    “The proposed confab is expected to be composed of delegates and elective representation from Territorial social movements, ethnic nationality groups, political parties, labour centres, the Private sector, Professional bodies, Youth and women groups as well as governmental agencies, which shall be attending in advisory capacity to join other voting delegates to consider both the 2007 PRONACO’s peoples Constitution as well as the Nigerian 1963 Constitutions adoted as Confab Proposal” PRONACO concluded