National Conference: North-East leaders oppose ethnic representation

Senator Femi Okurounmu

Some leaders also called for a change in the name of the committee.
Some leaders of the North-East geo-political zone on Saturday in Bauchi kicked against the use of ethnic nationalities as representatives at the proposed National Dialogue.
They made their opinion known at the North-East Public Hearing on the conference, organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue.
They said such representation would defeat the purpose for which the conference was convened.
In his presentation, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said the use of ethnic nationalities was not feasible.
“Bauchi State alone has over 50 ethnic groups and a state like Taraba, among others, has over 100.
“Therefore, it is not possible to have every tribe represented, as this can create room for chaos,’’ he said.
Mr. Yuguda, who said the views were his personal opinion, explained that the idea behind the conference was laudable.
The governor said those condemning it on the ground that it could disunite the country were mistaken in their views. He called on those presenting memoranda at the forum to abide by the terms of reference of the committee.
In their paper to the committee, a group suggested a change of the name of the conference from “National Dialogue’’ to !Good Governance Dialogue’’.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Sani Abdul, the Secretary of North-East Zone Forum for Unity and Development, attributed Nigeria’s problem to the attitude of the elites.
“Describing the conference as a “National Dialogue’’ implies that the people of the country are not at peace with one another, which is not the case.”
!Since the problem of Nigeria has to do with lack of good governance, addressing that problem in particular is the only solution to the nation’s predicament,’’ he said.
Mr. Abdul said those suggesting that representation should be based on ethnic groups were calling for anarchy and chaos.
The Gombe State Government, in its paper presented by one Musa Mohammed, suggested that three representatives at the conference should come from the local government areas.
It also suggested a time-frame of three months for the conference to be concluded.
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Garba Umar, suggested that the conference should be attended by 15 delegates from each state.
He said the conference should also be concluded before the 2015 elections.
In its paper presented by Mohammed Maishanu, the Bauchi State Government suggested that the composition of delegates should be on state by state basis.
“Each state should present 100 delegates, made up of 50 elected and 50 selected, and the conference should last for between three and six months from January 2014,’’ it said.
On the legal framework of the conference, the Bauchi state government suggested that a bill be sent to the National Assembly to give its outcome a legal backing.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, Femi Okurounmu, had urged those participating to make suggestions on the structure, composition and legal framework of the proposed conference.
He said fears that the proposed conference could lead to the break-up of the country was not justifiable.