The spokesman for the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi,
said this in a telephone interview with one of our
correspondents, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He was commenting on the national dialogue advisory
committee set up on Tuesday by President Goodluck
Jonathan.
Abdullahi,who said he saw nothing wrong with
Nigerians sitting down to discuss their problems,
explained that contrary to the views held in certain
quarters, northerners were not opposed to any form of
dialogue in whatever form or shape.
He said, "There is no problem with Nigerians sitting
down to discuss their problems whether in the form of
dialogue, whether in a form of conference, whether in
the form of a meeting, even in the form of a Sovereign
National Conference.
His view on SNC is however not in tandem with that of
the foremost Northern socio-cultural organisation, the
Arewa Consultative Forum, which on Tuesday said it
would not support any form of dialogue termed
sovereign.
However, Abdullahi, a former vice-chancellor of the
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said, "The SNC that
people are advocating; people are saying that it is a
way for Nigeria to break up. This shouldn't be a
problem. Even in Britain today, Scotland is still
agitating to opt out of the United Kingdom; even the
Northern Island problem is still there.
"In Spain, there are separatist groups agitating for
independence. Even recently, we had in the Soviet
Union and it has broken up into 11 different countries.
"India was created in 1948, in one year there was
Pakistan, in another year there was Bangladesh. So
why shouldn't it happen in Nigeria if they (advocates
of SNC) believe this is the way to go?
"We don't mind any conference no matter the
outcome. I don't think it should worry any Nigerian."
The former VC said the earlier Nigerians accepted that
Nigeria's ethnic nationalities could never dissolve into
one, the better.
He stated that it was left for Nigerians to make
something good out of the almagamation of Nigeria
by Britain in 1914.
Abdullahi also noted that it was probably out of the
desire to make something out of the situation that led
to the several conferences that had been held since
1914.
He, however, expressed fears that the current attempt
by the Jonathan administration to hold another
conference when the reports of previous ones had not
been implemented was suspicious.
The NEF spokesman said the country had held
constitutional conferences in 1976, 1978, 1988,
1994/1995 and 2005.
He stated, "In each of these conferences, there have
been voluminous reports on what is the problem with
Nigeria. It is not for lack of information on the issues
at stake."
Abdullahi said that the country could still gain from
the reports of past constitutional conferences.
He added, "When you look at it from this point of view,
those who believe that Nigeria's time is being wasted
or that these are diversionary tactics have a point.
"Because this is what (President Olusegun) Obasanjo
tried to do when he was looking for a third term and
he thought that he wouldn't get it through another
means except through constituting a constitutional
conference."
National Assembly backs conference
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator
Eyinnaya Abaribe, in an SMS to one of our
correspondents in Abuja, said, "The Senate supports
the President in his choice of the members of the
committee."
The House of Representatives also welcomed the
committee and its membership, saying that Nigerians
were entitled to freedom of expression.
However, it clarified that whenever a constitutional
matter cropped up in the course of discussions at the
conference, it should be referred to the National
Assembly.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, who
spoke to The PUNCH in Abuja, explained that the
National Assembly remained the legally constituted
body to resolve any constitutional issues in the
country.
Ogor added, "We are the true representatives of the
people. That is why constitutional matters must be
left to the National Assembly to handle.
"But, the constitution (1999) guarantees freedom of
expression and association. On that score, the
conference is a welcome development; to give people
the opportunity to talk and share ideas."

Seen

Tell that to the kids.

Wel,i neva knew a northerner cud say this. Kudos 2 him. The earlier we admit that d entity cald Nigeria aint workhn,d beta. Biafra on my mind.

[b]The only people who should afraid already know themselves. The same people whose region offers no incentive that they have to go out of it to make any meaning of their lives

I don't think the North has anything to be afraid of really

As it stands today, a number of states in the north are more viable, with a higher IGR and GDP than a good number of states in the south

There's also an abundance of mineral resources in that part of the country with a landmass that will make a good number of countries go green with envy

They also have the capital and capacity to attract impressive investment

Kaduna, Kano and even Katsina for instance can only be beaten by Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and perhaps Abia in southern Nigeria in terms of industries

The north has an enormous potential and should there be a balkanization of this country, they won't be the poorest.

All they need to do is invest in human capacity development and they can be the biggest country in Africa

Only myopic and shallow minds will think oil is a valuable resource that a country can build it's future on, in this day and age[/b]

Before the discovery of oil which turned out to be A̶̲̥̅ curse to nigeria, the north has been the most prosperous region of the country. The oil money made us lazy. Weda we break up or not, it doesnt change A̶̲̥̅ thing or our identity as northerners. The north isn't scared of nigeria disintegrating.
#ProudlyTeamNorthernNigeria noni

They are only waiting for the fuller construction of Abuja, Hausas are indeed very smart, now they are no longer scared but I know it is a matter of time they will get themselves spent and crash the same Abuja..

Not only the elders, we the young actually pray for it, let's break this useless false setup

He's bluffing........if not, let these northern career politicians and elite come together and INSIST on a SOVEREIGN national conference!

I wish someone could take him up on this......trust me, you won't hear kpim from him again!

geeez: [b]The only people who should afraid already know themselves. The same people whose region offers no incentive that they have to go out of it to make any meaning of their lives

I don't think the North has anything to be afraid of really

As it stands today, a number of states in the north are more viable, with a higher IGR and GDP than a good number of states in the south

There's also an abundance of mineral resources in that part of the country with a landmass that will make a good number of countries go green with envy

They also have the capital and capacity to attract impressive investment

Kaduna, Kano and even Katsina for instance can only be beaten by Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and perhaps Abia in southern Nigeria in terms of industries

The north has an enormous potential and should there be a balkanization of this country, they won't be the poorest.

All they need to do is invest in human capacity development and they can be the biggest country in Africa

Only myopic and shallow minds will think oil is a valuable resource that a country can build it's future on, in this day and age[/b]

^^^Just out of curiosity, care to tell us these people that 'know themselves' that are afraid of Nigeria breaking up? You whole life seems to be haunted and tortured by 'these people'!

Can someone tell me what issues will be discussed in this conference, besides 2015 election and the way forward for corrupt politicians to continue looting?
What does the ordinary jobless Nigerian stand to gain?

IGBO-SON:


^^^Just out of curiosity, care to tell us these people that 'know themselves' that are afraid of Nigeria breaking up? You whole life seems to be haunted and tortured by 'these people'!

lol..ignore the mad man.

IGBO-SON:


^^^Just out of curiosity, care to tell us these people that 'know themselves' that are afraid of Nigeria breaking up? You whole life seems to be haunted and tortured by 'these people'!

He forgot you have coal in enugu and something about landlocked

I can't wait to work at South West (Odudua Nation or Odudwa Republic) Embassy

Brimmie: I can't wait to work at South West (Odudua Nation or Odudwa Republic) Embassy

I'm praying for this

ayusco85: Before the discovery of oil which turned out to be A̶̲̥̅ curse to nigeria, the north has been the most prosperous region of the country. The oil money made us lazy. Weda we break up or not, it doesnt change A̶̲̥̅ thing or our identity as northerners. The north isn't scared of nigeria disintegrating.
#ProudlyTeamNorthernNigeria noni

Gosh!!! Are u this ignorant about Nigerian history and why the amalgamation took place?The sole reason for the amalgamation was basically for economic reasons.The southern protectorate were richer,while the north was poor which proved to be an economic burden to the British.They merged the two protectorates so that some percentage of taxes/revenues collected from the south can be used in the administration of the north.

We know those that are afraid of break up. We know those that can't survive without subsidy. We know those that are the most unproductive lazy region in this country. We know those that can change alliances at the snap of a finger and stab their friends in the back. We know those that will sell out their kinsmen. We know those that run away at any slightest disturbance. We all know but are not allowed to mention their accursed name.

Alfa Seltzer: We know those that are afraid of break up. We know those that can't survive without subsidy. We know those that are the most unproductive lazy region in this country. We know those that can change alliances at the snap of a finger and stab their friends in the back. We know those that will sell out their kinsmen. We know those that run away at any slightest disturbance. We all know but are not allowed to mention their accursed name.

.

We know those that rants while their territory is taken over by another region. We know those who will prefer to be slaves instead of fighting for what is theirs. We know those that will deceitful encourage others to fight, and run away, they will when the fight starts.

We know all of them. We know the traitors, the deceitful, the hypocrites.

Bros, we know them and their antics.

Why should you be afraid? Do you see Ngige or Uba breaking up?

Even the dead Abidjan coward wanted to be a ONE NIGERIAN SENATOR and was rejected by his own people!!!

His widow-wife with her FANI-KAYODE's broken 'toto-CHASIS' is a NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR to Spain !!!!

What a way to break up! By being CARPET-BAGGERS to the NIGERIAN government?

Abeg, make we HIA siontin! NANsence!!!!

Let Nigeria brake up to form many oil rich countries in the south south ; like equatorial guinee with dictactors like the obiang family or Gabon like the Bongo family. One thing is for sure the north will come out bigger and stronger and more united. Honestly do you think James Ibori will have step down as governor of Delta after his second term if Delta was a country? No i don' t think so .
(Modify) (Quote) (Report)

thank GOD DT d north is nw seein d handwritin on d wall..nig was neva built on truth bt on oil,let us break so dt we will discover our inner potentials as a seperate entity..
GOD BLESS BIAFRA

wilywily0:
I'm praying for this

Yeahhh!! We have everything!

**in sarkodie's voice** You know sey Oyel nor be problem!

The ones who are scared are the ones who cant stay in their homeland and covet other peoples land

Those who would rather die in maiduguri than go home.

Those whose leaders called Ikenga would celebrate their silver Jubilee in another mans land

dayokanu: The ones who are scared are the ones who cant stay in their homeland and covet other peoples land

Those who would rather die in maiduguri than go home.

Those whose leaders called Ikenga would celebrate their silver Jubilee in another mans land

nope,d one who are scared is d one who instead of formin their own oduduwa,they joined their masters as d slaves their are to fight against biafra..btw se n ss has said they ar nt afraid of nig breakup n nw north,i wonder wat sw ar waitin for to declare their intention or ar they scared dt they wont survive if nig breaks up today

dayokanu: The ones who are scared are the ones who cant stay in their homeland and covet other peoples land

Those who would rather die in maiduguri than go home.

Those whose leaders called Ikenga would celebrate their silver Jubilee in another mans land

You means those that have actually fought for and given everything for the break up of this country?

You mean those who are the only people to have a group with the word SOVEREIGN in the acronym?

You mean those who would actually vote 99.9% in an actual referendum for break up?

You mean those who are not afraid to live anywhere they want and impose on the lazy hosts and become richer than the lazy hosts thus driving them to madness?

Are we talking about the same people?

Kanwulia: Why should you be afraid? Do you see Ngige or Uba breaking up?

Even the dead Abidjan coward wanted to be a ONE NIGERIAN SENATOR and was rejected by his own people!!!

His widow-wife with her FANI-KAYODE's broken 'toto-CHASIS' is a NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR to Spain !!!!

What a way to break up! By being CARPET-BAGGERS to the NIGERIAN government?

Abeg, make we HIA siontin! NANsence!!!!

I know of a former warlord calling himself a black insect that lies paralysed and abandoned by his own people. His children are now begging a general from the tribe of his former enemies to give them money to go to ghana for treatment.

I know of a diseased tea drinker whose kinsmen took bribe from his murderers and shut up.

I know of one "general" who was always on his knees begging junior officers for his life.

I know of one frog eyed abomination that did the whole world a big favour by using otapiapia as powdered milk.

We all know but we can't mention them.

best thing is for us to be independent. We are causing too many problems to ourselves, lets disintegrate. Am sure the new nations would fare well

mekaboy: Can someone tell me what issues will be discussed in this conference, besides 2015 election and the way forward for corrupt politicians to continue looting?
What does the ordinary jobless Nigerian stand to gain?

you get time to reply him.
oil is not a valuable resource yet it was chipped into the 'exclusive list'.

I See A Region Gettin Fvcked Even After Disintegration!!

510 Tribes In Nigeria.. And A Region Has Over 250 Tribes!!

#InOtherNews:
Yoruba And English Is Going To Be Odudwa Rep Official Languages

Lemme analyze The Major Ethnic groups/Tribes Progress when Nigeria breaks up.

1. The Almighty North wouldn't do bad per say because they have acquired enough for maintenance over a period of 2 Decades but will eventually fall if the likes of Buhari and the present elites are given the Grand Commanders. Northerners are not known for laziness. No matter how menial a job might be, they will be able to engage themselves by doing it. e.g Shoemakers, Okada riders, Truck pushers e.t.c. They will Co-exist well over a period before they will eventually crumble and start struggling.

2. The Ever-Intelligent South-West wouldn't do bad too since they already have enough money to take them for a while and also a second home at London. They will be the most progressive among the break away parts for a period of 5 years before they will eventually fall due to lack of maintenance as almost all importation will be diverted to the ports in the south south, south east thereby reducing revenue base. But lemme warn seriously, Tinubu and co shouldn't rule you guys lest u crumble within 2 years. Already, they have enough infrastructures but will be coveted if care is not taken.

3. The Most business-Wise and inclined South-east wouldn't do bad but will definitely have trying times within a period of 2 years because Nigeria would not be able to pay her all her Investments in their reach cos they may run Bankrupt if they do. Oil is not a problem for them as they already have established a lot of international industries to cater for their population and have single handedly survived in the Nigerian entity without the Nigerian government influence. But I must warn, the likes of the Ubah's should not near power lest they get assassinated as her citizens don't accept Never-do-wells.

This for me is the picture of the Broken Nigeria. The three regions will be Peoples Republic of Arewa(P.R.A), Oduduwa Peoples Republic(O.P.R) and Sovereign States of Biafra(S.S.B)

.