Former speakers of states Houses of Assembly have rejected the list of delegates to the upcoming National Conference.
The speakers, operating under the aegis of the Association of Former Speakers of State Legislature of Nigeria, took the position at an emergency meeting to discuss the National Conference, which opens on Monday.
The association said it was not pleased with the substitution of the names of its nominees for the conference.
The association, in the communique of the meeting, signed by Hon. Simon Lalong, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka and Hon. Friday Itula, the Chairman, Secretary and Publicity Secretary respectively, said having been given the go ahead, it nominated six persons to represent it at the conference, after a meeting on February 17, 2014 in Abuja.
It however said it came as a surprise when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, reeled out the names of members of the confab, with the nominees by the association tampered with.
The communique said: “Sequel to an Emergency meeting of Association of Former Speakers of State Legislature of Nigeria held on the 11th March, 2014 in Abuja, the meeting was primarily conveyed to discuss the unfortunate incident of substitution of Nominees of the forum to the forthcoming National conference.
“It would be recall that the federal Government of Nigeria via a release from the Office Of The Secretary of the Government of the Federation allotted six (6) delegates to the forum and thereafter a meeting of the whole members was conveyed to Abuja on the 17th February, 2014 with large turnout of members across the federation and after deliberation, dialogue,consultation, election and consensus. The under listed were nominated as Forum nominees to the said conference and a letter to that effect was communicated and acknowledge by the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation on the 18th February, 2014.The said nominees are
1. RT. Hon Habu Isa Ajiya North East (Taraba State)
2. RT. Hon Mohammed Yaro North West (Kaduna State)
3. RT. Hon Simon Lalong North Central (Plateau State)
4. RT. (Sir) Stanley Ohajuruka South East (Abia State)
5. RT. Hon Azeez Alarape South West (Oyo State)
6. RT. Hon David Iyoha South-South (Edo State)
“However, to our chagrin, surprise, dismay and embarrassment four of our delegates were substituted and this unfortunate and condemnable act was frowned at by the entire members of the Association.
“As a result of the foregoing, the Association after much deliberation issued the following communiqué
“1. That We commend the untiring efforts of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR. The President and Commander in Chief of Armed forces of federal Republic of Nigeria on his uncommon transformation agenda to reposition the country and for the honour accorded our Association via allotment of Six delegates to the National conference.
“2. The entire members condemned in strong term the purported substitution of our original and authentic list by a few minorities who allegedly claims they are acting from the above.
“3. That the Federal Government should note that Association of Former Speakers is one indivisible and not a National Conference formed Association, as a result the honour, dignity and respect accorded the Senators and House of Representatives Forum should be extended to us.
“4. In view of fairness, justice, morality and equity, we urge the federal Government to revert to our original list because of the fact that we have been communicating to the Secretary of Federation ever before any inkling of National Conference.
“5. For clarity of purpose once again the above nominees still remain our Association delegates to the National Conference.
“Lastly, while urging the federal Government to accede to our legitimate and morally induce request, it must be stated for record purposes that failure to adhere to our list would portend a fundamental and credibility question which the Conference intend to solve.
“AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL.”
