2014 Confab delegates re-converge in Abuja

DELEGATES to the 2015 National Conference gathered in Abuja on Tuesday under the aegis of “The Reunion Summit of Delegates” to demand for the implementation of the confab recommendations.

According to the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the summit, John Dara, it was convened to “explore ways and means of promoting the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 National Convention.”

He explained: “The objectives of our gathering here today are: to facilitate the re-union of all delegates to the 2014 National Conference, to promote friendly, fraternal and familial feelings among members; to come up with appropriate measures to publish and publicize the reports and recommendations of the Conference; to develop strategy and action programmes for the implementation of the recommendations of the Conference, to possibly create and sustain a ‘2014 National Conference Forum’ for continuous interaction and collaboration in national interest, and above all, to start a sustainable programme of action for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

“Since we were wise enough to prepare an excellent blueprint for the transformation and breakthrough of our nation.

“Without prejudice to whatever plan of action we may choose to embark on, we need to persuade the present Administration of President Mohammadu Buhari of the benefits and workability of the resolutions and recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.

“We need to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure they make the Report of that Conference their primary and that principal reference material for amending the 1999 Constitution, and for making laws for the nation.”

The South West delegates led by Chief Olu Falae, described the confab report as the minimum irreducible needed to move the country forward.

The zone regretted that three years after the submission of the report, nothing had been done with it.

They posited that issues that led to the convening of the conference in 2014 were still very much with the country and threatening its existence.

The position paper presented by the zone during Tuesday’s meeting stated: “It is now almost three years after we concluded our assignment and the reports are gathering dust in the archives while the country is daily drifting to the edge of the precipice and avoidable crises tearing the entity apart.

“Many of the issues threatening our corporate existence today would have become a thing of the past if we had implemented the report of the conference.

“We therefore state unequivocally that implementing the report is the minimum irreducible to move Nigeria forward and build a country that works for all its citizens.

“We therefore call on the executive arm of the government to initiate the process for the National Assembly to pick the 2014 conference report submitted to the immediate past legislative session for implementation.

“Feelers from our zone is that our people strongly desire that the 2019 elections be conducted on the basis of a new and truly federal constitution.”

It was signed by the under-listed.

1 Chief Olu Falae (Chairman, South West Delegates)

2 Gen Alani Akinrinade (Deputy Chairman)

3 Dr Kunle Olajide (Secretary)

4 Chief Ayo Adebanjo

5 Pastor Tunde Bakare

6 Dr Amos Akingba

7 Senator Femi Okunrounmu

8 Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu

9 Chief Ajibola Ogunsola

10 Senator Rasheed Ladoja

11 Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa

12 Gen Raji Rasaki

13 Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele

14 Mr Niyi Akintola (SAN)

15 Hon Adegoke Salvador

16 Mr Lanre Ogundipe

17 Hon Rasheed Sekoni

18 Mr Ayodele Adekanbi

19 Prof Femi Mimiko

20 Mr Remi Olatubora

21 Chief Supo Sonibare

22 Mr Sola Ebiseni

23 Yinka Odumakin

24 Hon Wale Oshun

25 Bosun Emmanuel

26 Rtd CP Samuel Adetunji

27 Senator Adefemi Kila