The spokesman for the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He was commenting on the national dialogue advisory committee set up on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Abdullahi,who said he saw nothing wrong with Nigerians sitting down to discuss their problems, explained that contrary to the views held in certain quarters, northerners were not opposed to any form of dialogue in whatever form or shape.
He said, “There is no problem with Nigerians sitting down to discuss their problems whether in the form of dialogue, whether in a form of conference, whether in the form of a meeting, even in the form of a Sovereign National Conference.
His view on SNC is however not in tandem with that of the foremost Northern socio-cultural organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, which on Tuesday said it would not support any form of dialogue termed sovereign.
However, Abdullahi, a former vice-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said, “The SNC that people are advocating; people are saying that it is a way for Nigeria to break up. This shouldn’t be a problem. Even in Britain today, Scotland is still agitating to opt out of the United Kingdom; even the Northern Island problem is still there.
“In Spain, there are separatist groups agitating for independence. Even recently, we had in the Soviet Union and it has broken up into 11 different countries.
“India was created in 1948, in one year there was Pakistan, in another year there was Bangladesh. So why shouldn’t it happen in Nigeria if they (advocates of SNC) believe this is the way to go?
“We don’t mind any conference no matter the outcome. I don’t think it should worry any Nigerian.”
The former VC said the earlier Nigerians accepted that Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities could never dissolve into one, the better.
He stated that it was left for Nigerians to make something good out of the almagamation of Nigeria by Britain in 1914.
Abdullahi also noted that it was probably out of the desire to make something out of the situation that led to the several conferences that had been held since 1914.
He, however, expressed fears that the current attempt by the Jonathan administration to hold another conference when the reports of previous ones had not been implemented was suspicious.
The NEF spokesman said the country had held constitutional conferences in 1976, 1978, 1988, 1994/1995 and 2005.
He stated, “In each of these conferences, there have been voluminous reports on what is the problem with Nigeria. It is not for lack of information on the issues at stake.”
Abdullahi said that the country could still gain from the reports of past constitutional conferences.
He added, “When you look at it from this point of view, those who believe that Nigeria’s time is being wasted or that these are diversionary tactics have a point.
“Because this is what (President Olusegun) Obasanjo tried to do when he was looking for a third term and he thought that he wouldn’t get it through another means except through constituting a constitutional conference.”
National Assembly backs conference
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, in an SMS to one of our correspondents in Abuja, said, “The Senate supports the President in his choice of the members of the committee.”
The House of Representatives also welcomed the committee and its membership, saying that Nigerians were entitled to freedom of expression.
However, it clarified that whenever a constitutional matter cropped up in the course of discussions at the conference, it should be referred to the National Assembly.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, who spoke to The PUNCH in Abuja, explained that the National Assembly remained the legally constituted body to resolve any constitutional issues in the country.
Ogor added, “We are the true representatives of the people. That is why constitutional matters must be left to the National Assembly to handle.
“But, the constitution (1999) guarantees freedom of expression and association. On that score, the conference is a welcome development; to give people the opportunity to talk and share ideas.”
Project Nigeria, two other groups kick
The Project Nigeria Conscientious Group however questioned the rationale behind the appointment of Senator Femi Okurounmu as the committee chairman.
As the group kicked, two others faulted the composition of the committee, saying it was not representative.
The PNCG, in its reaction on Wednesday, said that appointing Okurounmu as chairman of the committee, might amount to an embarrassment to Nwabueze.
The Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that if the Federal Government had consulted well, Nwabueze ought to been made the head of the committee.
Okunniyi said, “If they had consulted, Prof. Nwabueze should be the chair of the committee. If he has to play a role in the committee, he has to be the chair.
“Though Okurounmu is emminently qualified and he is our own, he understands the issues. However when both Okurounmu and Nwabueze are under the same roof to discuss the issue of national question, you know what is right.
“So if that is not intended to embarrass Nwabueze, then you know what is right and what is right in this case is that Nwabueze should preside over the discussion.”
He said despite the development, Nwabueze, would not reject the appointment as a member of the committee.
He added that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria , who is still abroad, might not return to the country until after the swearing-in of the members of the committee.
“Prof. Nwabueze is scheduled to return to the country on the 11 but the swearing-in is to take place on the 7,” Okunniyi added.
He stated that the PNCG which is led by Nwabueze had done “the most profound research” on the national conference, adding that it already had five models of how it could be conducted.
Okunniyi added, “Project Nigeria Conscientious Group is the body that has done the most profound research on the national question in the last two years. The group has come up with five models with which you can conduct a national conference within the ambit of the existing law. We don’t intend to rock the boat. We are not quarelling with Okurounmu, he is our own, he understands the issue; he is qualified but when you put both of them in one room, Nwabueze must take precedence.
“In the actual conference, he should chair it because he understands the issues better. If it must hold, Nwabueze is the most authoritative person that can chair it.
“This is good because we have to do damage control. If they had consulted us, we would have told them what to do. We want this thing to succeed and we are going to make sacrifice for it to succeed. We are not going to criticise them too much; we are going to encourage them.
A member of the committee, Col. Tony Nyiam (retd), however, said they would take the assignment with the highest sense of responsibility.
“This is not the time to talk. It is the time to work. We know that we have a very important responsibility before us. We pray that Nigerians will judge us based on our work,” he said.
Nyiam, who was part of an attempt to overthrow Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, added that he was glad to be a part of those planning the national dialogue under a civilian government.
He said there was the need for Nigerians to determine how they want to co-exist and to encourage the country’s diversity and promote its unity.
The Director, CCM of the University of Jos, Prof. Audu Gambo, and the Executive Director, Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity, Mr. Joseph Sangosanya, both faulted the composition of the advisory committee.
Gambo and Sangosanya, in separate interviews with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, said though the idea of a national dialogue was a welcome development, it should be done in such a manner as not to raise any suspicion about the intention of government. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Very good!! Northern region now concur that they are not afraid of Nigeria separation so other regions too should come out with their opinions too also considering the facts that the conferences had be had many times before, I doubt if this present one will yield any good result so pls let the country break up in a simple way uno as we always have it on a platter of Gold so do let us have it again. Mike.
ReplyDeleteGEJ WANTED SEPERATION LONG SINCE.IF HE WINS 2ND TERM,BEFORE IT ENDS HE WOULD SET UP THIS COMMITTEE AND IF HE DIDN'T HE WOULD STILL.U NEED SEE WHAT HE'S BEEN SENDING TO NIGER-DELTA,ALMOST ALL OF THEM SENT ABROAD,TOMPOLO JUST BOUGHT A PRIVATE JET AMONG OTHERS.ALL THIS HE WILL DO AFTER SELLING OFF ALL NIGERIAN TREASURES e.g PHCN AND BUILDING ONE FOR NIGER-DELTA TO BE COMMISIONED TOMORROW.OBJ MADE HIS WORST EVER MISTAKE.
ReplyDeleteSo called elders..when you are the ones ochestrating the 'break up' with you religious and ethnic bigotry, and bokoharam . How will you not be expecting a break up
ReplyDeleteHe who lives in a glass house should not throw stones. Your being ethnic and narrow minded.
DeleteNigerians whether in the committee or not should resolve the issue of British almagamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria was a mistake. thats the reason the Northerns are killing the Southerners by sharia, Boko Haram insurgency etc. Seccessin is the best option for now
ReplyDeleteIts a national conference and not a sovereign national conference, hence such decisions cannot be taken there. Meanwhile he shouldn't have made such statement.
ReplyDeleteGEJ means well for this nation,, those of you condeming GEJ are greedy in your thought.. A country cannot co-exist unless they agree to exist under respectable agreement.. And that is why we need National dialogue.... SO WHY THIS BITTERNESS ?????
ReplyDeleteIs unfortunate for prof Ango to site the break up of Pakistan from India as good example, incase you dont know Indian negotiated for peace by letting Pakintan to go. today can u compared the two? is it the type of break- up u want?, no wonder you achieved nothing as vc in ABU apart from crisis and sentiment. get it correctly from ur shallow mind that is be-clouded with religious sentiment that even if Naija break-up, we in the midle-belt cant be with u guys. so that u guys operate like war raved Pakistan nation.
ReplyDeleteI am a northerner but southern northerner and my fear is not economic, political, social etc but religious. See how they are killing christians and none of these so called northern elders can intervene. If we seperate, how is religious freedom going to be guaranteed?. To me, it beats my imagination that we are killing our brothers in the name of relion. I stay in one of the south-south states and i have my peace. The Christian who are more than us are relating with us wonderfully. Religeous tolerance is lacking. Though a muslim, i prefer to stay in the south.
ReplyDeleteIf break up is the answer, then whAt is left. SNC or any name is called, is a MUST if we must move forward. And the ealier the better. The SW began the call for SNC as fAr back as 1995 or thereAbt. KudoS To GEJ. Dnt let dis one bE like all conferences once had in NigEria none of which materialised and thus my GREATEST fear.
ReplyDeleteWHEN ASUU PRESIDENT IS FROM FEGGE IN KANO AND KANO PEOPLE ALWAYS TAG THOSE IN FEGGE AS FROM NIGER REPUBLIC COUNTRY. MEANING IS NASIR FEGGE FROM NIGER REPUBLIC COUNTRY???? IS THAT THE REASON WHY HE DOESN'T CARE,AND HE IS READY TO CRIPPLE NIGERIA EDUCATION AND SOME STUPID NIGERIAN LECTURERS FROM WEST,EAST SO BLIND TO SEE? MAY BE HIS HIS UNCLES,AUNTIES,RELATION AND ROOTS ARE IN NIGER REPUBLIC..... WHAT ABOUT YOU AND ME THAT ARE NIGERIANS WITH OUR RELATIONS HERE ????.
ReplyDeleteOTHERWISE HE WILL CONSIDER AND SHIFT GROUNDS SINCE GOVERNMENT AGREE TO SHIFT GROUND .....2009 AGREEMENT IS STILL AGREEMENT BUT SOMEONE SIGNED IT SO SHIFT GROUND CALL OFF GIVE GOVERNMENT TIME AND WATCH YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT WONT WORK .....FG HAVE SHIFT GROUND SO SHIFT GROUND MR FEGGE .
SORRY FOR NIGERIA I SOON LEAVE THIS COUNTRY BUT SORRY FOR NIGERIANS THAT BLIND TO KNOW THEIR HISTORY AND ROOTS . WE ARE BEEN HIJACK BE ALIENS,ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CONTROLLING OUR COUNTRY,ECONOMY. I HAVE NUTTING AGAINST LEGAL IMMIGRANTS... BUT ILLIGAL....... REMOVE GEJ WE STILL HAVE ISSUES IF WE DONT SEAL OUR BORDERS IN THE NORTHERN PART VERY WELL ............. REMEMBER SOME OF THEM HAVE SECOND COUNTRY AND HOUSE SOMEWHERE WHAT ABOUT YOU AND ME AND OUR RELATIONS HERE IN NIGERIA???????? I WILL BE BACK AFTER MY 2MONTHS INSHA ALLAH, AM FROM KWARA STATE AND MY RELIGION IS OF PEACE AND WE MUST SALVAGE NIGERIA . I HATE IT WHEN SOME PEOPLE SPOILING ISLAM NAME . I STAYED IN KANO FOR YEARS FROM MALALI,PANSHAKARA,WUDIL,SHARADA ETC SO I KNOW HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FULL KANO SO SAD FOR US IN NIGERIA.....
Why didn't the northern elders talk about break-up during Ya-aradua's or Obj's regime.
ReplyDeleteAbul,talk something reasonable and stop agitating for division are you not the one who enforce one Nigeria,na wetin dey worry all of you now? Haa!
Praise God! if Nigeria is truly breaking up it's a very welcome idea, especially if it will be done in peace and not war. I have always prayed for this breakup, this marriage was never meant to be, lets be realistic and stop being selfish. some regions are afraid of breakup bcos they feel they have everything to loose, everyone can start from somewhere and the nation's remaining resources could be shared amongst the new countries! I love this peeps! too much bloodshed on the dance floor!
ReplyDeleteProf T.O.C Ndubuizu once said that the battle, he wouldn't like to loose is the 'battle upstairs.' We know who is afraid and who is not when it comes to splitting Nigeria. As long as our living elders would not tell us the truth and as they continue in this under current fight while shying away from the truth there would not be a future for the project called NIGERIA. They have succeeded in blacking mailing us into swallowing their SUSCIPTIONS,SENTIMENTS, HATRADE ETC making us to haunt down and kill our brothers and sisters. They should realize that you can only fool some people sometimes but not all the people all the time. REVOLUTION IS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.
ReplyDeleteif the country break,i will be glad bcos job opportunity will come in,new LGA,hospital,house of asembly.pls dis should happen and we niger delta will enjoy our resourses.
ReplyDeleteMake or break time. Surely if Goodluck is not returned as president, their will be blood shed as Asari postulated. But the question is what will happen if he is returned? Well, one may say its the same thing. It looks like either way Nigeria is in for another round of blood shed; a replica of 1966. May Allah save the day. Amin.
ReplyDeletepls it is time to go in peace.we are not together at all since independence.dont let us conrtinue like this.so many coups.so many govts change hand.we shall be at resr now.seperation is the best solution before is too late.except you want to die with your family if you remain the thief .stealing with position in federal level all in the name of one nation slang to dicieve your people since1961
ReplyDelete