Controversy surrounds national conference committee

Controversy has started to trail the  constitution of the Federal Government’s Advisory Committee on National Dialogue/Conference with  the  Project Nigeria Conscientious Group questioning the rationale behind the appointment of Senator Femi Okunrounmu as its chairman.

As the group kicked, two others faulted the composition of the  committee, saying its was not representative.

The PNCG, in its reaction on Wednesday said that appointing  Okunrounmu as chairman of the committee, might amount to an embarrassment to Nwabueze.

The Secretary-General of the group,  told our correspondent on the telephone   that  if the Federal Government had consulted well, Nwabueze ought to be made the head of the committee.

Okunniyi said, “If they had consulted, Prof.  Nwabueze should be the chair of the committee. If he has to play a role in the committee, he has to be the chair.

“Though Okunrounmu is emminently qualified and he is our own, he understands the issues, but when both Okunrounmu and Nwabueze are under the same roof to discuss the issue of national question, you know what is right.

“So if that is not intended to embarrass Nwabueze, then you know what is right and what is not right in this case is that Nwabueze should preside over the discussion.”

He  said that despite the development, Nwabueze, would not reject the appointment as a member of the committee.

He added that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is  still abroad, might not return to the country until after the swearing in of the members of the committee.

“Prof.   Nwabueze is  scheduled to return to the country on the 11 but the swearing in is to take place on the 7,”  Okunniyi added.

He  stated the PNCG which is led by Nwabueze  had done “the most profound research” on the national conference, adding that  it already had five models of how it could be conducted.

A member of the committee, Col. Tony Nyiam (retd), however, said they  would  take  the assignment with the highest sense of responsibility.

“This is not the time to talk. It is the time to work. We know that we have a very important responsibility before us. We pray that Nigerians will judge us based on our work,” he said.

Nyiam, who was part of an attempt to overthrow Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime and conduct a national conference, added that he was glad to be a part of those planning the national dialogue under a civilian government.

He said there was the need for Nigerians to determine how they want to co-exist and to encourage the country’s diversity and promote its unity.

The Director, CCM of the University of Jos, Prof. Audu Gambo, and  the Executive Director,  Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity, Mr. Joseph Sangosanya, both  faulted the composition of the advisory committee.

Gambo and Sangosanya, in separate interviews with one of our  correspondents on Wednesday,  said  though the idea of a national dialogue was a welcome development, it should be done in such a manner as not  to raise any suspicion about the intention of government.

They argued that such a conference would  however give Nigerians the ample opportunity to air their views on the way forward for the country

Gambo said,  “I welcome the idea of a national conference. Let Nigerians have a platform for venting  their grievances and views on some contentious issues within the federation. Certainly, the composition of the dialogue committee is not representative enough. It is beginning to make people lose faith in the credibility of the exercise. All of us are equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

Sangosanya said, “It’s a welcome development, but the membership is suspicious owing to the fact that an ex-adviser to Jonathan is the  secretary  to the committee. Also, how sincere is Mr. President and how detribalised are the  members? We’ve being deceived by previous regimes before. Hope, it’s not a diversionary tactics from discussing current issues in the polity.”