It was a surprise to delegates of the ongoing National Conference on Tuesday as the leadership placed two boxes with the label of the Independent National Electoral Commission on them in the bid to resolve the controversial issue of derivation.
The Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, told delegates not to be intimidated by ballot boxes.
Kutigi said the confab secretariat is just getting ready for “any eventuality, but we hope will reach consensus on everything”.
It was reliably gathered that the battle line has been drawn between the North and South over the derivation formula.
While Northern delegates insisted that status quo should remain, the Southern delegates, especially those of the South South and South East are insisting on an increase.
The derivation formula is 13 per cent.
The North wants it retained at that while Southern delegates are arguing for an increase to between 25 per cent and 50 per cent.
Derivation: Confab borrows INEC ballot boxes
