My People : The Federal Government recently announced the modalities for the much-awaited National Conference, following the submission of the report of the Okunrounmu-led Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue.
My People : The Federal Government recently announced the modalities for the much-awaited National Conference, following the submission of the report of the Okunrounmu-led Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue.
On this issue of a National Conference, despite misgivings from various quarters, I am in general support provided:
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- the process is as inclusive as possible; this has implication for length of time allowed for it as well as the character, number and process of choice of the delegates [I recommend below six months rather than three months now announced by the FGN.]
- the total number of delegates in the Final Conference should not be unnecessarily wieldy. [Well, my recommendation below reduces the total number from 492 to anywhere between 426 and 479 - not much a reduction, but now with significant re-distribution among the various categories of delegates.]
- there is greater clarity in how and who does the selection and/or election of delegates
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- while not an Ethnic Nationalities Conference, sufficient weight to their views must be built into the National Conference [I recommend below that the Ethnic Nationalities representation should be one-quarter to one-third of the total delegates. Their number should therefore be increased from 90 to 107 (for one-quarter representation) or 160 (for one-third representation)]
- government choice of delegates should be as few as possible; this actually builds in more legitimacy, not less. [Instead of 181 (or 37% of total delegates), I recommend below only 20 (19 Elder statesmen and the Chairman of the Conference) chosen by Government (President or Governors or FGN) - that is about 5%.]
- we increase of Diaspora representation from 8 to 12 (splitting America into USA (2 delegates), Canada (1) and South America (1), and Asia into Near Asia (2 delegates) and Far Asia (2 delegates), with Europe and Africa having 2 delegates each.]
- the cost of the National Conference is minimal [N4.7 million per person per month appears too high. A breakdown of how this N7 billion total cost estimate was arrived at would be helpful.] However, what is worth doing is worth doing well, and if it costs high, so be it.
- it ends up in a new Popular Constitution, complete with a Referendum, not tinkering with the current one;
- the new Constitution forms the basis of the 2015 Presidential elections
Other recommendations will be found in tabular form below.
The recently-announced Modalities for the Conference don't all expressly allow the above - but one hopes that some or all of my recommendations below will be considered before the National Conference begins.
And there you have it. Comments are welcome.
Bolaji Aluko
-The National Conference
S/N
Item
Decision of FGN
Aluko Commentary
1
Official name
The National Conference
Missing is the adjective "Sovereign", but I can let that go
2
Venue
Abuja
Final one may be Abuja, but there should be many mini-conferences first, AT least in the capitals of each of the states to ensure greater inclusivity
3
Duration
Three months
Too short: six months are recommended
4
Discussion Topics
Almost all or any subject matter....except....
Should be ANY subject at all
5
No-Go Area
Indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable;
This "No Go" area not necessary. Allow those who want division and dissolution to be shouted down - or hailed - at the NC, then we shall see. Be assured that Nigeria is not going dissolved anywhere.....so why fret?
6
Conference management
Secretariat to manage, administer and run its affairs
Okay
7
Decision Making
By consensus; but where it is not achievable, it shall be by 75% majority
Okay
8
Purpose of National Conference
To advise the government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of the national conference into the Constitution and laws of the country
Just to advise integration? No - it should be to OUTLINE a new Constitution entirely, not tinker with the old one. NBA (Body of SANs) should be drafted to technocratically DRAFT the Constitution before a Popular Referendum, which should be given to National Assembly/President for formal assent only. The Constitution should be enacted before and be the basis for the 2015 Presidential elections, otherwise it should be POSTPONED until after then, otherwise NC might be a wasted effort
9
Conference Leadership
A Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of unimpeachable integrity
Okay
10
Delegate Nomination Period
Begin Thursday January 30 and end Thursday, February 20, 2014
Has already presumably begun, but the ability of "getting together" of many of the named Stakeholder groups in order to nominate their delegates is very nebulous
11
Method of Nomination
List of nominees shall be submitted either online to www.osgf.gov.ng or in hard copy to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, 3rd Floor, Central Business District, Abuja.
Okay, but nothing is on www.osgf.gov.ng is available yet to do this nomination there. At least, I visited to nominate one or two persons (don't ask me who.)
12
Period of NC
March to May 2014
Too short - March to August 2014 minimum
13
Approximate Cost
N7.00 billion
Ehn - N14.2 million per person, N4.7 million per person per month for three months? Let's see the breakdown in terms of cost of venue, materials, accommodation, food, general conference services, transportation, honorarium - and legal "incidentals".
Modalities for the nomination of the delegates
S/N
Stakeholders
FGN Number
Of Delegates
FGN Specifications
Nominator
(according to FGN)
Aluko Commentary
Recommended number
1
Elder Statesmen
37
One per state and the FCT
President
Too many - 3 per geo-zone + FCT are enough
19
2
Retired Military and Security Personnel
18
One delegate per geopolitical zone each from the Military, Police, State Security and National Intelligence Agency
Stakeholders
Too many - one per geo-zone, mixed such that 2 each from the services
6
3
Traditional Rulers
13
Two per geo-political zone and one from the FCT
Stakeholders
Okay - but just specify (chosen from one of the Chairmen of the Council of Chiefs by them)
13
4
Retired Civil Servants
6
One per geo-zone
Stakeholders
Why? Some of the delegates will fulfill this anyway.
0
5
Labour
24
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, to reflect Geo-political and gender balance
Stakeholders
Too many
12
6
The Organised Private Sector
8
NECA, MAN, NACCIMA, NESG, two delegates each
Stakeholders
Too many - one each enough
4
7
Nigeria Youth Organisations
12
National Youth Council of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerians Students, NANS, shall each nominate six delegates, one from each geo-political zone,
Stakeholders
Okay
12
8
Outstanding Youths and Role Models
6
One from each geo-political zone for "other"
Federal Government
Why? Government should as much as possible remove any tendency to dilute Stakeholder choice influence
0
9
Women Groups
12
National Council Of Women Society, NCWS, two per geo- political zone
Stakeholders
Okay
12
10
Market Women Association
6
One per geo-political zone.
Stakeholders
Okay
6
11
Women Organizations
6
International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA; Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ; and Women in Management and Business, WINBIZ, shall each nominate two Delegates;
Stakeholders
Okay
6
12
Political Parties in National Assembly
10
Parties that have representation in the National Assembly, including the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Accord Party, Labour Party, LP, two delegates each
Stakeholders
Too few...all parties that have ANY representation at all in ANY state legislature. In fact, why not all INEC-registered parties - all 25 of them?
25
13
Religious Leaders
12
Christian and Muslim Leaders
Stakeholders
Okay
12
14
Civil Society Organisations
24
Across board
Stakeholders
Not necessary - are these all other named associations NOT "Civil Society?"
0
15
Nigerians in Diaspora
8
Europe, America, Africa, Asia, and Middle East, two delegates per location
Stakeholders
Not Enough - America should be broken into three (2 representing USA, 1 representing Canada and 1 representing South America), as well as Asia (2 representing Far Asia and 2 Representing Near Asia)
12
16
People Living with Disabilities
6
One per geo-political zone
Stakeholder
Okay
6
17
Media
8
Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria shall nominate 2 delegates each;
Stakeholders
Okay
8
18
Socio Political/ Cultural and Ethnic Nationality Groups
90
15 delegates each, per geo-political zone to reflect religious and ethnic diversities;
Stakeholders
Not enough at all....this number should be near to or equal to the quorum of Conference membership (assumed to be one-third)
107 - for one-quarter representation;
160 - for one-third representation
19
Professional Bodies
13
NBA, NSE, CIB, NMA, NIM, NIA, ICAN, ANAN, NIPR, AAPN, NIESV, Nigerian Environment Society and Nigeria Economic Society
Stakeholders
Okay
13
20
National Academies
5
The Academy of Science, Academy of Engineering, Academy of Education, Academy of Letters and the Academy of Social Sciences shall each nominate 1 delegate;
Stakeholders
Okay..but no ASUU?
5
21
Former Judiciary Personnel
6
From the Judiciary not currently serving on the bench
President
Okay...but why does the President have to be the one to choose them? NJC nko?
6
22
Former Political Office Holders
24
Former governors, Senators Forum, House of Reps Forum and the Association of Former Speakers shall each nominate one delegate per geo-political zone
Stakeholders
Okay....but how will they choose themselves?
24
23
FG
Delegates
20
At least six will be women
Federal Government
Why? A nebulous group
0
24
State Governments
Delegates
109
3 delegates each based on Senatorial District at least, while the FCT shall nominate 1 delegate, one of whom shall be a woman. The nomination shall be done by the state governors and where the state fails to nominate, the President shall nominate the required number from the state
State Governor and/or President
The number is okay, but choice by state governors defeats popular representation. This is where LIMITED election or selection by the populace should be instituted
109
25
Former LG Chairmen
6
One from each from the six geo- political zones;
ALGON
Okay
6
26
Conference Leaders
3
Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary, observing geo-political spread
President
Number okay, but President should just choose Chairman, and let the Conference choose the other two
3
TOTAL
492
426 or 479
The National Conference: How we got here
S/N
Date
Event
1
Independence Day broadcast October 1, 2013
President Goodluck Jonathan announces set up a Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue (PACND)
Composition: Senator Dr. Femi Okurounmu-Chairman; Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa -Secretary, Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe, Senator Timothy Adudu; Professor Olufunke Adeboye; Professor George A. Obiozor, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, NNOM (declined, later replaced by Prof. Anya Anya), Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed; Malam Bukhari Bello, MFR, mni; Mr. Tony I. Uranta, Col. Tony Nyiam (Rtd) (later replaced by Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN)); Alhaji Dauda Birmah, OFR and Dr. Mrs. Mairo Ahmed Amshi, MFR.
2
October 7, 2013
Date of Inauguration of PACND
3
December 18, 2013
Submission of Report of PACND
http://www.osgf.gov.ng/content?id=135
STATEMENT BY ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON, SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, ON THE OCASSION OF THE RELEASE OF THE MODALITIES FOR THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO THE MEDIA ON 3OTH JANUARY, 2014; ABUJA
Gentlemen of the Press,
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Press Conference. The purpose is to share with you, the highlights of the decisions of the Federal Government on the Report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue. I am indeed pleased and grateful that I am joined here today by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Senator Femi Okunronmu and the Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa. I will make a brief statement and thereafter, all of us will be available to respond to your questions.
2. You will recall that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,GCFR, during his Independence Day National Broadcast, on 1st October, 2013 set up a 13-Member Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue under Senator Femi Okurounmu. The Committee which was inaugurated on 7th October 2013 was mandated to advise Government on the framework for a national dialogue by consulting widely with Nigerians. The Committee was given seven (7) terms of reference and was asked to submit its report in six (6) weeks. The Committee met that target and in many respects, it exceeded all expectations. At this juncture, let me once again, on behalf of the President, thank the Chairman and members of the Committee for their dedication, tenacity and courage in handling the assignment.
3. The Federal Government is satisfied that the Committee has diligently discharged its task to the nation and posterity. This is moreso, especially as one recalls the foundational principles of their assignment as espoused by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the inauguration of the Committee. On that occasion, Mr. President emphasized that, “this is a National Project, a sincere and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving, long-standing impediments to our cohesion and harmonious development as a truly United Nation”.
4. You will also recall that the President further stressed that, “sitting down to talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channeling our grievances, misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the good of our country”. The President stated as well that in any case, Nigerians are already talking about their national challenges through the print and electronic media. He observed that, “the only gap is that while these talks are sometimes weighty, they often lack direction”. Therefore, one of the objectives for setting up the Committee was to lend weight and direction to the National Dialogue. You may also recall that Mr. President has also allayed “the fears of those who think the National Dialogue will call the integrity of Nigeria into question”, and added that, “this National Dialogue will strengthen our union and address issues that are often on the front burner, but too frequently ignored”.
5. I wish to thank all Nigerians for their enthusiastic response to the opportunity to structure a national dialogue in the manner offered by the President. We are grateful for the massive support and encouragement that the broad strata and all sections of our nation gave to the Advisory Committee in all parts of the country they visited. Also, let me in particular, extend our deep appreciation to members of the press. All of you contributed in no small way to sustain free and robust debate on every platform, to promote the ideals of the national dialogue.
6. I am pleased to inform you that Government gave the most expeditious consideration to the Report of the Advisory Committee. In doing so, we sought explanations and guidance from the members of the Committee as at when necessary. We were also deeply encouraged by the calls by Nigerians from all works of life for us to proceed with the Report of the Committee with uttermost urgency, so that the nation can be through with the Dialogue well ahead of the approaching political season.
7. I now have the privilege to announce that the Government, after long and mature deliberations on the Committees’ Report, accepts the following recommendations for immediate implementation:
(a) The official name of the conversation/conference shall be "The National Conference";
(b) The National Conference shall hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
(c) The National Conference shall tentatively last for 3 months and shall discuss any subject matter, except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable;
(d) A Conference Management Secretariat shall be established to manage, administer and run the affairs of the Conference;
(e) Decisions at the National Conference shall be by consensus; but where it is not achievable; it shall be by 75% majority;
(f) The National Conference shall advise the Government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of the national conference into the Constitution and laws of the country; and
(g) The National Conference shall have a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of unimpeachable integrity.
8. Furthermore, the Federal Government has since approved the next steps necessary towards actualizing the National Conference as follows:
(i) 30th January, 2014 - Formal release of the modalities for the National Conference;
(ii) 30th January, 2014 - 20th February, 2014 Nomination of Delegates;
(iii) Inauguration of the Conference will follow soon after the delegate list is concluded.
9. Pursuant to the foregoing, the modalities for the nomination of delegates to the Conference are as provided in the attached table.
10. The list of nominees shall be submitted either online to www.osgf.gov.ng or in hard copy to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, 3rd Floor, Central Business District, Abuja. Formal inauguration of the Conference shall follow as soon as the nominations are received and collated.
11. Thank you.
ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON
Secretary to the Government of the Federation
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
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