Remarks by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
On the Occasion of the Inauguration of the National Advisory
Committee On our Country’s Conversation towards a Greater
Nigeria.
State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja
Monday October 7th 2013
PROTOCOLS
1. Today, we are taking historic and concrete steps that will
further strengthen our understanding, expand the frontiers
of our inclusiveness and deepen our bond as one people under
God.
2. In my address to the Nation on the occasion of our 53rd
Independence and Golden Anniversary as a Republic, I
announced that in response to the yearnings of our people,
we had decided to take on the responsibility of decisively and
genuinely exploring the option of a National Conversation.
3. In furtherance of this objective, Government announced the
names of some Nigerians, with wide experience from various
disciplines, to form membership of an Advisory Committee to
facilitate a most acceptable process that will bring our
aspirations to fruition. Our gathering here today is to formally
inaugurate this child of necessity, the Advisory Committee to
midwife this Conversation.
4. Permit me to very quickly review the foundational principles
that drive our action, and also address a few matters arising.
Firstly, let me emphasize that this is a National Project, a
sincere and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically
examining and genuinely resolving, longstanding impediments to
our cohesion and harmonious development as a truly united
Nation.
5. There is a view by some of our people that we do not need
to sit together to dialogue over the socio-political challenges
facing our country. Some believe that because we have held
several Conferences in the past, we do not need to hold
another one. I was one of those who exhibited scepticism on
the need for another Conference or Dialogue. My scepticism
was borne out of the nomenclature of such a Conference,
taking into cognizance existing democratic structures that
were products of the will of the people.
6. However, we are in a democracy, and in a democracy;
elected leaders govern at the behest of the citizenry. As
challenges emerge, season after season, leaders must
respond with best available strategies to ensure that the
ship of state remains undeterred in its voyage.
7. Nations rise to the challenges that each epoch presents. It
is imperative therefore, that in our march to nationhood, we
have to be dynamic in our approach and response to the
problems, even as we seek solutions to them. We cannot
proffer yesterday's solutions to today's problems.
8. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us remind ourselves
of the gains from previous Conferences and Dialogues. The
Conferences that were held before 1960 were designed to
produce a political system and a roadmap to Nigeria's
independence.
9. The Constitutional Conference of 1957 in London, for
example, effectively prepared Nigeria for Independence. The
Eastern and Western regions were granted self-government
in 1957, while the Northern region got its own in 1959. The
Office of the Prime Minister was created and it was also
decided that the Federal Legislature would be Bi-cameral.
10. Furthermore, the Constituent Assembly of 1978 gave us
the 1979 Constitution and also created the current
Presidential System with its attendant checks and balances
and Fundamental Human Rights provisions. The 1999
Constitution we operate today, is a successor to the 1979
Constitution and records show that the 1999 Constitution also
benefited from reports and recommendations arising from
the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
11. Although not enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the idea of
the current Six Geo-Political Zones that have become one of
the avenues for equitable distribution of projects and public
offices in Nigeria was also a product of Dialogue that emerged
from the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
12. The 2005 National Political Reform Conference produced a
number of key recommendations that were sent to the 5th
Assembly, which were however not perfected. In 2010, I
reasoned that the outstanding recommendations from the
2005 Conference be revisited.
13. It was my view that Government is a continuum and that
we must find ways to strengthen the foundation of our
Union. I proceeded to set up the Justice Alpha Belgore
Committee with a mandate to review the report for possible
implementation, especially the areas were there was a
common agreement. The committee worked hard and came
out with its report that included a number of Bills, which were
forwarded to the National Assembly.
14. We believe that these Bills will form key components of the
on-going Constitutional Review by the National Assembly.
15. Clearly, every dialogue adds something valuable to our
evolving Nation. The urgency of a National Conversation in the
present therefore, need not be over emphasized.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we continue to
strive to build a strong and virile Nation, especially in the midst
of agitations and tensions, we cannot deny the fact that
sitting down to talk is one right step in calming down tensions
and channelling our grievances, misgivings and suggestions into
more positive use for the good of our Country.
17. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Senate
President, and the leadership and members of the National
Assembly for the support they have given to this important
National Project.
18. The concept of participatory democracy is such that even
after the people have given their representatives the
mandate to make laws and act on their behalf, there is also a
space for the governed to make further input into the
political processes, without undermining the authority of the
statutory bodies. Sovereignty continues to be with the people
even as the people evolve strategies and tactics to
strengthen its foundation for the benefit of successor
generations.
19. It is this sort of collaboration between the people and
established institutions of government, that will allow for a
robust outcome that leads to greater understanding and a
more cohesive and inclusive Union. For me, there is no
alternative to inclusivity, equity and justice in a modern
democratic state.
20. I will therefore like to allay the fears of those who think
the Conference will call the integrity of Nigeria into question.
This National Discourse will strengthen our union and address
issues that are often on the front burner, and are too
frequently ignored.
21. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Committee Members, this is a
serious task, and history beckons on you not to disappoint our
people. I want to charge you to consult widely before sitting
down to develop the framework that will guide and guard the
proceedings of the discussions.
22. In the task before you, no voice is too small and no opinion
is irrelevant. Thus, the views of the sceptics and those of the
enthusiasts must be accommodated as you formulate this all
important framework. This Conversation is a People’s
Conversation and I urge you to formulate an all-inclusive
process that protects the people’s interest.
23. Let me also urge the Advisory Committee not only to be
alive to the expectations of our people, but to bear in mind,
that what we desire is what can work for the good of our
people and country. The goal is to bequeath a better and a
greater Nigeria to the present and the generation that is to
come.
24. Ladies and Gentlemen, We have wasted too much time and
resources, bickering over sectional versions of what define
reality. This is an open-ended luxury we can no longer afford.
Let us move forward, with honest conviction and patriotic
courage, to strengthen this Republic, and get it to work
better and brighter, for all of us, to the glory of God.
25. On this note, I hereby inaugurate the National Advisory
Committee on this significant National Assignment and give the
Committee six weeks to submit its report. I thank you for
accepting to serve and I wish you the very best of wisdom in
this very important call to duty.
26. Congratulations! I thank you.

Okay we hear you, i'll comment later