President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared that the decisions of the proposed National Conference would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.
Jonathan said since the lawmakers are in the process of amending the 1999 Constitution, it would be necessary to forward such decisions to them for incorporation into the amendment and eventual passage into law.
The President spoke when he received a delegation of the Muslim community in the Federal Capital Territory, led by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
The delegation paid him the traditional Sallah homage at his residence in the Presidential Villa, popularly called Aso Rock.
He also used the occasion to restate his sincerity in setting up the Senator Femi Okunrounmu-led committee that will work out the modalities for the conference.
President Jonathan spoke further on the need for national dialogue: “So, we want a country that will have a direction so the discussions must have a direction.
“The discussion must lead Nigeria to where we want to be.
“Not a divided Nigeria.
“Not a Nigeria that is sown on hate.
“Not a Nigeria that will be based on acrimony, ethnicity and tribal sentiments in the way we conduct ourselves.
“That is a reason we set up that committee and we have given them the free will.
“Some people are still instigating others that the President is doing this, the government does not have the capacity to do that.
“We are totally committed to do what is right.
“We don’t need to carry cane to flog Nigerians to show that we are determined.
“Even the Justice Muhammadu Uwais committee that was set up, that report was passed on to the National Assembly.
“In 2010, we brought Justice Alfa Belgore and others and I said in 2005, Nigerians discussed something.
“Why don’t we begin to implement some of them?
“So, we need to come up with some bills in those areas we have agreed and we push it to the National Assembly.
“Of course, some of those bills have not come out from the National Assembly but we believe that even in the constitutional amendment that is going on, some will be useful.
“And this national dialogue is even critical and is coming at the right time because the National Assembly is thinking about how they will amend the constitution.
“So the results of the discussion of course will be passed to the National Assembly.
“It is only left for all of us who are Nigerians to impress it on our representatives, those in National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, because our state and federal parliament must work together to ensure these are properly enshrined in our constitution, so that as a nation we will hand over a country that is better than what we have met to our children.
“We must work very hard.
“We must talk to ourselves the way that our children will not develop hate amongst themselves.
“And that is one of the key reasons that we decided to have a conversation as a nation.”
Jonathan thanked the delegation for observing the traditional homage.
Speaking earlier, Sambo commended President Jonathan for giving the right leadership, noting his commendable outing at the just concluded 68th United Nations General Assembly as well as the Super Eagles victory in Ethiopia.
While also commending the President for agreeing to call a national conference, Sambo called on Nigerians to continue to support the transformation agenda.
On the delegation were the Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja; the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and other top government functionaries.
Trending
- EPL: Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
- Breaking: Nigeria loses another veteran Nollywood actor
- Minister summons Lead British International School over bullying allegation
- Sex scandal : We won’t oppose any sanction against lecturer -UNN-ASUU
- Sanwo-Olu unveils EKO CARES
- UNN suspends lecturer for alleged sexual misconduct, begins probe
- Oyo LG honours Archbishop Ladigbolu, names road after late father, Akee Obayanritan
- Kogi Assembly blasts EFCC, demands removal of ‘wanted’ from Yahaya Bello’s name