Confab decisions for referendum – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the outcome of the National Conference will be subjected to a referendum so as to truly reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people.
Jonathan gave the assurance on Monday while inaugurating the National Conference, headed by Justice Legbo Kutigi (rtd), at the National Judicial Institute auditorium, Abuja.
The President, in his remarks, broke the news to the delegates that the leaderships of the National Assembly, who were also present, have assured him that provision would be made for referendum in the ongoing amendments of the nation’s constitution.
He therefore, urged both Chambers of the National Assembly and the State Assemblies to hasten up the process of amendments so that it could be ready before the national conference completes its assignment in three months time.
Jonathan said: “Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the Constitution. This should be relevant for this Conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises.
“I therefore urge the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to speed up the Constitutional amendment process especially with regard to the subject of referendum.”
Vice President Namadi Sambo; Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar; and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekerenmadu, were present at the inauguration.
President Jonathan justified the need for the conference, stressing that it provides a good avenue for people to ventilate their views without compromising national unity.
He, therefore, charged the 492 delegates and six conference officials to focus on national agenda by jettisoning sectional interests.
An elated President declared that it was the dawn of a new era, adding that the outcome of the conference would be a positive turning point for Nigeria’s development.
President Jonathan however reminded the delegates that they should not be under an illusion that it will be a simple task, saying the task ahead is formidable.
He expressed optimism that the calibre of delegates at the conference are up to the task and would overcome all obstacles that would come their way.
The President again reiterated that he had no personal agenda, saying: “Let me repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no personal agenda.”
He spoke further: “I also believe that this National Conference is coming at a very appropriate time. Having just celebrated the first centenary of our country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.
“This we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.
“The National Conference is therefore being convened to engage in intense introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our nation and to chart the best and most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of our fatherland.
“This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.
“It is our expectation that participants in this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesize our peoples’ thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of those recommendations, and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the future of our beloved fatherland.”
Justifying the need for the National Conference, the President said: “This National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to be discussed.
“Their representatives at this conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union.
“We must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather, we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria. Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united, stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and reference point at this national gathering.
“Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests.”