Nigeria's National Confab and the Issue at Stake

By

Isa Muhammad Inuwa

ismi2000ng@yahoo.com

Thank God, for the opportunity to witness the much awaited, controversial conference for one of the most heterogeneous, most populous, multi-cultural and multi-problematic nation in Africa, which kicked up Monday, March 17 inside the National Judicial Institute's hall in Abuja, with most, if not all of the 492 delegates in attendance.

Opening plenary of the conference depicted massages out of which Nigerians could read some meanings -  a cross-section of participants with some of them dozing out their fatigue and looking much weary, exposes much about the senility in them, with much less attention to the real thing that took them there. Their posture might have casted apprehension as to their real commitment towards protecting and defending both the national interest and of course that of their people of particular groups they are representing and the conference.

But one of the encouraging sights was another picture - a blend of hilarious traditional chiefs attired in their various cultural regalia, laughing and exchanging banters across ethnical lines. To me, this epitomizes the rich Nigerian culture and heterogeneity. Nay, the snap-shot also demonstrates in a way, how the vast majority of Nigerian people and masses suppose to relate well with one another, with their counterparts of the other ethnic groups for the progress and development of the entire nation.

It is high time that the common people below understand that those at the top of the ladder are united in their (gang-up) club as one entity in their continuous wielding of upper-hand above the rest of the people. The masses should know that no matter what amount of quarrel and misunderstanding in the open, these people at the top are close friends and confidants behind the curtain - they are common friends in a common struggle for a common goal.

But unfortunately, these cunning politicians cum leaders would rather dissect if not slice the Nigerian population into pieces along religious and ethnic lines, to facilitate and perpetuate their control, domination and manipulation of their subjects. This is part of the reasons why causes of  most of the fighting, maiming, arsons and killings going on among different tribes and localities are always found to have political undertones.

As expected, the divergent agitations from variegated interests within the Nigerian nation have, right from the very on-set of the confab, frayed their nerves and penciled down their agenda, to enable them curve what they believe to be their rightful share out of the so-called "national cake." People of caliber and elders alike from the nation's geo-political zones earlier accompanied the proposal to hold the conference as muted by President Goodluck Jonathan, with the much envisaged agitations and clamour in favour of their regions or people.

That the conference coincides with Nigeria's 100 years anniversary of its amalgamation is a good omen that the nation is once again on the talks-table in a flash-back, to revisit and find solution to its myriad problems. However, many Nigerians were skeptical, bemused and unsure of the true purpose behind the conference, since several such conferences have taken place in the past during some previous regimes, yet, their outcome reports and resolutions were not implemented in real life practice.

One of the prominent conferees, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, has rightly spoken the mind of most Nigerians about the nature of the conference, when he described it as a process "whose purpose is shrouded in mystery, its process unclear and outcome uncertain."

At a recent conference of leaders and elders of northern Nigeria held in Kano, to preview and pre-empt what would transpire in the national conference, a former federal permanent secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed expressed his fear and uncertainty over the conference in succinct and bold terms: "The north will participate in this conference at best as a spectator, or at worse as a helpless victim of a conspiracy to exploit its weaknesses. Yet everyone says it must attend because everyone else is attending. SO the north is now reduced to escorting other's agenda."

He further cautioned: "If north had a strong, cohesive and visionary leadership today, no one will dare design a conference that so blatantly offends all indices of justice and fairness... Do not attend if all the conference will give you is a few millions in allowances and three months in a comfortable hotel, away from all the problems of your people. If you have to attend, pay close attention to how the conference can redress its massive baggage..."

Dr. Baba Ahmad also charged participants from the north to ensure all issues are discussed to their logical conclusion with the deserved justice and fairness to all Nigerians, but if that wouldn't be possible for them, he urged them to 'walk out and resist temptation that the north will be hurt more if it has no delegates at this conference."

Also in a recent media interview, another outstand member in the confab and former running mate of General Muhammadu Buhari, Pastor Tunde Bakare has expressed the same uncertainty, saying that "nobody can predict the confab outcome."

Even the chief convener of the conference, President Goodluck Jonathan, wasn't explicit in his opening speech, as to the intention and purpose of the conference - he left Nigerians to their greatest speculation and believe that Mr. President super-imposed the conference on Nigerians with a clear view to score his political goal of paving ways for his return onto the mantle of power, through the upcoming 2015 general elections.

 In his inaugural speech to declare the conference open, President Jonathan can be seen to have done the probationary job of laying foundation - out lining the key templates to dwell upon - the form of government, structures of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing and resource control.

Other areas mentioned by the President were local government creation, boundary adjustment, state police, indigene ship, local government elections, fiscal federalism, gender equality and child-rights."  Mr.

President has said many things, including the big point of urging the conferees to deliberate freely and independently, and focus their attention on articulating useful resolutions that would be in the interest of the nation.

Whatever way, the wise teachings of my Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) came to bear in this instance, whereby he was quoted as saying "Every action is judged and rewarded according to the intention and every man would reap the reward of what he actually intended doing."

Thus, there are those among the conferees who would definitely have the nation at hear and give priority to justice, equity as well as pay regards to things that will help to unite, rather than to divide the country. Also there are those who would be there with the sole intention to force their selfish ambition, sectarian sentiments and ethnic jingoism down the throat of Nigerians.

Those who blindly believe the national wealth belongs to them alone would certainly be hell-bent on trying to achieving 100 percent ownership of the oil wealth, or at least settle for 50 to 40 percent derivation from the oil, in place of the 13 percent they are presently enjoying. To such people, the conference came at a better time to drive home their agitation over the so-called "off-shore" and "on-shore" categories of oil deposition and to whom they belong.

For me personally, I challenge the situation whereby the oil-rich states are flagrantly being so pampered and pumped with money in the name of rehabilitation of environmental problems from oil lifting, just for the sake of it and without tangible results to write home about.

To me, what is the use of allocating plump amount of money as monthly subvention, to a miniature state in the creeks area, most at times triple or quadruple that of a much bigger and much more populated state in the north? What is then the use of establishing such supportive organizations as the OMPADEC and the NDDC, that suppose to provide the needed projects of rehabilitation in the area?

Also the conference would give the northern delegates an opportunity to prove to their south-south counterparts or otherwise, that the north is not a parasite to the country's oil wealth and resources, as believed by the former. I expect them to dust-off history books of Nigeria's inception and teach the southerners about the groundnut and skin and hides proceeds which were used in building most of the early important national infrastructure, yet without the north ever demanding to be paid highest amount of dividend far and above other section of the country.

It is worth noting that some good natured Nigerians among the conferees have demonstrated the much desired patriotism and selflessness we all have been looking forward to happen in the country. For instance, despite the attractive treatment arranged for the participants, Dr. Emman Shehu boycotted the conference for reasons best believed by him that border on integrity and principle.

Two other people, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, chairman of the Media Trust and Pastor Tunde Bakare, chief overseer of the Latter Rains Assembly church, both stated their intention not to receive the 3 million Naira per month allowance to be paid to the conferees. If we can have more of such people who bottle up their personal greed and put the nation above their sentiments, then our hope for better Nigeria in the future will definitely be seen to be realizable.

Although Mr. President talked about many issues in his opening speech, he ought to be reminded on two to three important things. First of all corruption at high places is the major stumbling-block on all path of progress and attaining equity and fairness in all facets of life in this country. Likewise, it is the same stigma of corruption that places Nigeria in the black list of the comity of nations.

 To redeem our lost image, the conference should deliberate on ways to curb corruption. Secondly, the issue of impunity with which the present administration is much identified, must also be addressed, in order to refurbish the image of the rule of law in the democracy.

 Third is the so-called incumbency factor, with which a serving chief executive has a monopoly over all the means to re-run an election and win a second tenure. This also has to be reviewed for the incumbent leaders to step-down from office some months before engaging in campaigns and participating in subsequent elections.

Finally, the issue of security of lives and property as well as territorial integrity of this country must not be toyed with, or to allow things like insurgency, arm-robbery, brigandage and tribal wars to continue decimating our numbers and putting our lives in the mess.

Activities of pipeline vandals and illegal refineries and all sorts of oil bunkering in the south must also be well addressed. A soul saver and lifeline must be injected into the north-eastern Nigeria by ending the horrible insurgency and rehabilitating people in the area. By this we stand and by God's grace we shall prosper.