GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday confounded the state’s founding fathers who came to pay him Christmas homage in his Ikwo country home, by describing the proposed national conference as “a huge joke, waste of time and distraction” to the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
He maintained that nothing will come out of it, stressing that if the nation is serious, it should adopt the recommendations of the National Political Reform Conference held during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime. But he was quick to add that he won’t stop his people from attending.
It would be recalled that the governor who is among President Jonathan’s group of 16 governors, had earlier praised the initiative to the extent of urging Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity by contributing meaningfully to the conference so that any grievances could be sorted out.
But reacting to the founding founders’ request for guidance as to the modalities of selecting delegates for the confab, Elechi in a melodramatic twist, declared his skepticism about the conference. He pointed out that it would not achieve anything since, according to him, the constitution has empowered the National Assembly to make laws for the country.
Stressing his objections to the dialogue further, the Ebonyi chief executive explained that referendum to ratify the outcome cannot supersede the deliberations of the National Assembly. He urged proponents of the conference to revisit the colloquium by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, which he said enjoyed the participation of all segments of the Nigerian society.
His words: “The National conference to me is a big joke, waste of time and a distraction to Goodluck Jonathan. I’m skeptical about it. It will not achieve anything. The constitution gives the National Assembly the power to make laws and the referendum cannot override the deliberations of the National Assembly.
“The best was the colloquium by former President Obasanjo in 2005. There, all segments of national life talked and reached far-reaching decisions. I will still consult my people but if at the end they decide to participate, I will not stop anybody but I will distance mysel and be an on -looker. The National Assembly over-ruled it due to the third term ambitions of Obasanjo. We should revisit that colloquium and the recommendations reached”.
Elechi recalled that during the 2005 colloquium, which he attended, “far reaching decisionswere reached but National Assembly decided to throw the baby and bathwater away due to Obasanjo’s third term plot”. He added that he would consult his constituents to deliberate on whether or not to participate in the conference.
Reacting to the governor’s outburst, a member of the Ebonyi Founding Fathers’ Association, Egwu Chima, said: “Having attended many such conferences, he is in a better position to predict the outcome. There is a level man would attain in life and he cannot be taken as mere flesh. Elechi can no longer be taken as mere flesh in Nigerian politics and experiment; it is a product of experience”.


http://www.theguardianmobile.com/readNewsItem1.php?nid=20845

describing the proposed national conference as “a huge joke, waste of time and distraction” to the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Garri the 1st: Own-Goal

PDP will become stronger, says Orji Uzor Kalu

December 23, 2013



Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, , on Monday said he was not afraid of any consequence of defection of five governors and 37 Representatives from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Party (APC).

Kalu made the remark at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, before travelling to Dubai.

“We are rebranding the PDP now and we will come out stronger after it’’, he said

He also said Nigeria would not disintegrate either now or in the near future stressing that the nation would continue to wax stronger.

“We need the country more than the country needs us. The unity of this country cannot be compromised. We are going to be the trustees of the unity of the country.’’

Kalu said that the Igbo ethnic group is not interested in the disintegration of the country in spite of being a large group.

“There are Igbos in Sokoto and every part of the country. So, we are the salt of the nation and ready for the unity and a more prosperous nation’’, the former governor said. (NAN)

eGuerrilla:

Comrade Garri,

Away from the public eye, you can bet your last Naira that most governors and legislators share the same sentiments.

Anyhow, here is one leader who is afraid of disintegration.

Source

Obiagu1:

Then become a champion of National Conference.
Or become a champion of Biafra or Odua
Or become a champion of No More Nigeria.

eGuerrilla:

Comrade Garri,

Away from the public eye, you can bet your last Naira that most governors and legislators share the same sentiments.

Anyhow, here is one leader who is afraid of disintegration.



Source

eGuerrilla: When did Gov Elechi become a member of the opposition?
How is this curve ball any different from the views canvassed by Gov Oshiomole?

Ibo-Killer:
National Conference is a charade of an exercise. It has to be discussed and approved by National Assembly. The Hausas don't want it and have the power to block it in National Assembly. What we need is Sovereign National Conference. We the people decide whether we should continue the forced marriage or not.

Vessi: Many of you just read the topic and started making baseless conclusions.
Elechi simply stated that itwould be waste of time, resources and energy to start another conference from the scratch when already, there is a half-way-gone-conference held during Obasanjo's tenure in 2005.
He stated that many vital facts were raised during that conference but because many perceived Obasanjo indirectly wanted to achieve a 3rd tenure in his government, they cancelled it and everybody went home.
Therefore, if another conference should be held, it should continue from where the last and previous one ended, Nigeria is too poor to waste excess fund in funding the next conference.
Simples.
And yes, Chief Elechi was present in 2005 conference.

Ibo-Killer:
National Conference is a charade of an exercise. It has to be discussed and approved by National Assembly. The Hausas don't want it and have the power to block it in National Assembly. What we need is Sovereign National Conference. We the people decide whether we should continue the forced marriage or not.