LET US GIVE THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE A CHANCE

I welcome Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu back to Nigeria. I thank God that his knee surgery was successful and that he returned safely in good health. Praise God!

I am, however, disappointed (though not surprised) that Asiwaju Tinubu, in his very first press conference upon his arrival in a private jet (his private jet?) at the Execujet Terminal in Lagos, dismissed the up-coming National Conference, which has caused cheer and renewed optimism in many Nigerians about Nigeria's posterity as a nation, as a mere "diversionary step taken by a sinking ship". Though he said he would "abide by the decision of the All Progressives Congress" regarding the National Conference, it is clear his comment was designed to pre-empt his party and present it with a fait accompli as regards its position on the matter. It is unlikely the APC would take a stance different from its leader.

It is most unfortunate that some politicians are already playing politics with the planned National Conference. In the article I published a few days ago titled "THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE: OUR CHANCE TO REBUILD NIGERIA'S DESTROYED FOUNDATIONS", I wrote the following:

"Whatever may be President Goodluck Jonathan's motivation, Nigeria has embarked on an irreversible process. The events in our nation in the last two years are of such gravity and sensitivity that no politician or group should presume that the National Conference can be used as a mere temporary distraction or to achieve a pre-determined parochial agenda.

Most people who have resisted the idea of having a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) over the years have done so on the assumption that it will inevitably result in the dismemberment of Nigeria. That is not necessarily going to happen. But our continuity as one country must be discussed. If there are tribes or sections which are determined not to be part of Nigeria and they refuse to be persuaded to remain, they should be allowed to leave peacefully. There is no need for fear that the SNC is a ploy to divide the country.

......What most Nigerians want are Visionary Leadership, Good Governance, Peace, Prosperity and an Equal Opportunity to achieve their dreams. But our system is built on falsehood. Our foundation is destroyed. Inequity, injustice and lies are at the root of our nationhood. We cannot continue to pretend that we can achieve greatness without revisiting the very basis of our nationhood. No section of the country should feel exploited and manipulated. The SNC is now our only chance to pull back from the brink and work at truly building a nation where peace, truth, justice and prosperity can reign."

It is premature for anyone to dismiss the National Conference when the Advisory Committee, which is to be inaugurated tomorrow by President Goodluck Jonathan, has not even commenced its work of formulating the framework or operational modalities for the Conference. President Jonathan's sincerity or otherwise would be evident depending on what he does with the Advisory Committee's Report on the National Conference.

Frankly, I don't see how a Committee which has someone like Senator Femi Okorounmu of the Afenifere Group as its Chairman and other distinguished members like Prof. George
Obiozo; Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Senator Khairat Gwadabe, Col. Tony Nyiam (Rtd.) and Dr. Abubakar Sadiq would not come up with a workable framework for the National Conference which meets the yearnings and aspirations of most Nigerians who have longed for a genuine National Dialogue. If President Jonathan really meant to distract Nigerians by convening a National Conference then he shot himself in the foot by empanelling the calibre of Nigerians he appointed into the Committee and whose antecedents show that they are not people who can be pushed around.

Let us give the National Conference a chance.

God bless Nigeria! 

Nigeria di fure!