BY GBENGA OKE
Eminent Nigerians, led by
Professor Ben Nwabueze,
under the auspices of Project
Nigeria, Saturday, in Lagos,
called for a National
Conference before 2015
elections, saying failure to do
so may cause disaster,
anarchy and spell doom for
Nigeria.
The group also said Nigeria
may become a failed state if
good governance and
accountability did not take
root soonest.
According to Nwabueze, for
Nigeria to move forward,
there is absolute need for
good governance, justice,
equal treatment of citizens of
various ethnic groups,
observation of rule of law,
transparency and
accountability, free and fair
elections.
His words, “Our meeting
here today is to affirm our
commitment to one Nigeria
and indivisibility among
ethnic groups. We believe
from now to generations to
come, this country should
remain one nation but
government must convene a
national conference with
immediate effect to discuss
national issues that affects
each ethnic groups in
Nigeria.
”There is need to prepare
the peoples constitution
which will enable people of
Nigeria of every ethnic
groups, civil societies to
deliberate and agree on the
conditions they intend to live
together”
He went further, “The
peoples constitution will
comprise of Justice, peace,
development, progress for all
Nigerians that will also
promote nation building”.
The elder statesman called
on civil societies to press the
National Assembly and the
Presidency to immediately
convene the National
Conference.
”There is need for various
movements, groups and
organisations to press the
National Assembly and the
Presidency to quickly
convene a conference where
the groups will meet with
the President and National
Assembly to submit a
memorandum which will be
accompanied by a draft bill
that will cover all aspects of
the constitution”.
Also present at the meeting
were Maitama Sule, Sen Alex
Ibru, Prince Bola Ajibola, Mike
Ozhekome, Chief Ayo
Adebanjo, Chief Philip Asiodu,
Bola Kuforiji Olubi, Gen Alani
Akinrinade, Prof Pat Utomi,
Solomon Asemota, Ganiat
Fawehinmi, and Shettima
Yerima.