Confab: Debate of Jonathan’s address begins

Delegates to the ongoing National Conference were unanimous that all subjects concerning the existence of the country should be discussed with a view of proffering lasting solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the country.
This was as discussion on the main reasons for the convocation of the conference got underway on Wednesday, with 39 delegates commenting on the inauguration speech of President Goodluck Jonathan.
While HRH, Ambassador L.O.C. Agubuzu, posited that inequality in the political structure of the country must be addressed, Chief Ayo Adebanjo was of the opinion that the conference must not shy away from discussing the essence of the existence of the country.
Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) said the constitution has never been the problem of the country, rather the conference should examine how Nigerians react to the document.
On his part, the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, raised concerns over the role and input of the federal legislature into the report of the conference, while eminent banker, Fola Adeola, want the issues of peace, justice and equity to be addressed by the conference.
Mariam Abdulahi said: “Why are we fighting along regional lines?
“It’s the elite that are using the loss of resources to divide the country.
“Ethnic groups do not have problems with one another but it is the competition among the elite that is creating problems for us.
“Once the elite stop seeing personal loss as regional loss, then things will be better for this country.”
Gambo Laraba Abdulah, in her remarks, regretted that old values were discarded for new ones that have not benefited the country, adding that when the country was not dependent on imports and oil, the citizens were contented and hard working.
“In the past, when we were not dependent on imports, our children were going to school, people pay their taxes, while our leaders ensured there was security as our rulers and leaders knows who and who was in town.
“Then people were self-reliant and security conscious.
“What do we have now?
“We have now depended on imports and oil that we only hear of the proceed on papers.
“If we are not selling oil, we won’t have these many problems.
“Oil is depriving us of many things.
“We are now poorer and lazy.”
Adebanjo regretted that the challenges facing the country have been evident for a long time but no one was courageous enough to discuss the disunity in the country.
While commending the President for the conference, he said: “Let us discuss the very existence of this country, which is the reason for this Conference.
“We should discuss federalism, let us have our own constitution, not military constitution.
“Let us make a clean break from the past.
“I appeal that we should discard our past prejudices, especially our colleagues from the North.
“For instance, the comment of the Lamido of Adamawa was uncalled for.
“Let us be accommodating and tolerant of each other and dialogue.”
Agubuzu also appealed to the delegates not to deny the existence of inequality in the polity.
He urged his colleagues to address the issue of the six geopolitical zones.
On his part, Ahamba, who buttressed his point with hard copies of the constitution of some countries, said: “Our constitution is not a fraud.
“We should rather obey it because the problems of Nigeria cannot be found in any book but can only be found in us.”
John Achimugu was more concerned about religion and its effects on Nigerians, saying: “Religion is an emotive material but a source of perennial problems to Nigerians.
“We must be free to discuss religion frankly as well as the involvement of state in religion and its role.”
Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar said: “Economic structure is our problem.
“If there is clear synergy between the government and the private sector, with government believing and engaging the private sector in national development, I believe that would have solved most of our economic problems.”
Adams raised concerns over the roles expected of the National Assembly on the report of the conference.
He said: “My fear is that most of the recommendations we may come up with in our report of the conference may not be addressed when taken to National Assembly.”
Oba Aderemi Adedapo wants the conference to address issues unity, tolerance and patriotism, adding that Nigeria should be able to use the advantages it has in size and resources to promote itself.
Senator Abdulahi Adamu was not pleased with the corruption that has permeated every segment of the Nigerian society despite establishment anti graft agencies.
Adamu said: “Our political process is now determined by extreme corruption.
“I plead that we come up with decisive recommendation at the end of the conference.
“We should also address the issue of insecurity in the North East, especially with reports of foreign aircraft bringing arms to the region.”
Sitting was adjourned till 10am on Tuesday.