THE October 1, 2013 decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a national conference was greeted with mixed reactions from both his critics and admirers.
While many saw the proposed conference as an opportunity to restructure the country, others maintain that the exercise would amount to a waste of resources and time.
In the South-West geo-political zone, staunch followers of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo received the news differently. Some Awoists, as they are fondly called, commended what they described as the president’s bold step at restructuring the polity and putting the country on the right track.
Interestingly, the pan-Yoruba socio-Political Organisation, Afenifere, has been in the forefront of those clamouring for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC). Since the advent of the Fourth Republic and the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the pan-Yoruba group had agitated for true federalism and a proper restructuring of the country.
The group, under the leadership of late Pa Abraham Adesanya, was consistent on the agitation for the convening of a sovereign national conference.
Now that the opportunity has come, Afenifere view opponents of the conference as enemies of the region.
On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress, APC, gave the dialogue a damning verdict, alleging that President Jonathan has a hidden agenda.
With the APC pointedly stating its stance on the conference, some staunch Awoists have lampooned the opposition party for declining to support the proposal.
APC’s position on the dialogue was taken at a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party. It declared that the president had lost focus and the credibility required to organize that kind of conference.


Meaningful national confab
The party’s spokesperson, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.had said: “What we see today is that this government has lost focus, it has lost credibility, it has lost control of the economy, security, corruption has attained uncontrollable proportion and at this point in time, this government lacks the credibility to organise a real meaningful national conference. “In any event, we see this thing as nothing but a diversion and what are we talking about a national conference for when even the President himself has said that the outcome of that conference would be subjected to the approval
of the National Assembly?”
Averring that in effect, the aim of the proposed exercise is a constitutional amendment rather than a national conference, the APC said it would not be a party to it, stressing that it is not an issue of boycotting.
“I have put it clear to you: this is diversionary. If it is a clear, meaningful national dialogue, we will participate, but this isn’t. The President himself has said whatever is discussed there will be subjected to National Assembly. So, what you are having is constitutional amendment”, it stated.
Given the stance of the APC, which also harbours some Awoists, the enlarged political family of the late sage appears divided now.
To make the conference work, Vanguard gathered that the Presidency is partnering with those who have bought into the idea. Sources said Jonathan is ready to offer juicy appointments as well as patronages to those who throw their weight behind his initiative. Perhaps, the outcome of the measure is the recent appointment of first grandchild of the late sage, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.
It was also gathered that prominent leaders and elders from the region have been invited to meet with President Jonathan where he is expected to assure them of his sincerity to organise a credible and meaningful conference.


Our grouse against Tinubu — Afenifere
On its part, the Afenifere has come out to defend its stance on why the conference should be supported by all and sundry just as it threw mud on the faces of opponents of the initiative. Afenifere’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, in a chat with Vanguard explained that its romance with the president was based on the need to ensure the South-West gets autonomy.
Odumakin said: “Afenifere produced Bola Tinubu. How can Afenifere be used against Bola Ahmed Tinubu when it was Afenifere that handed him the governorship ticket in 1999? The issue between Afenifere and Bola Tinubu is Tinubu turning coat against the national conference upon which Afenifere campaigned for election in 1999 before he became governor.
“It was on the basis of the struggle of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which he (Tinubu) identified with that Afenifere passed a resolution, which was endorsed by all the state houses of assembly in all the Alliance for Democracy states and the governors.”

bloggernaija:
Our politics is shaped by our cultural values

COMMUNITY
CHARITY
CONSERVATION.


These values are projected by being an OMOLUABI


TINUBU IS A POLITICAL LEADER WHO HAPPENS TO BE YORUBA.

Brown Eredia
• a few seconds ago
I can't not stop saying again and again that I am kinda fond of this dude now Yinka Odumakin,he is frank and open

PolyGon2013 • 2 minutes ago
There is nothing wrong in opposing views. APC stated its stand in other to keep PDP (GEJ) on their toes. That is politics, and there is nothing wrong with it.

dondave • an hour ago
If truth were to be told, this national conference will not yield any good outcome. GEJ lacks the necessary courage and credibility to organized a real meaningful conference as depicted in his words. That the outcomes will be subjected to National assembly for scrutining and approval.suggested such.
Why not a referendum? Former military Heads of states have tried to organized NC in various level without a meaningful outcome. I presume, this is a diversionary attempt by GEJ has rightly pointed out by leadership of APC and Gov. Oshiomhole to circumvent other pertinent national issues that are calling for attentions. A word is enough for the wise.

Peterson biafra • an hour ago
Lets elders prominents of regions go and meet president G.Jonathan as well. Not only Yorubas, just to show him 'president' that it is not small matter at all. And let Mr. president know that amalgamation of Nigeria has expired for any hiding agenda may change Naija tun. And failed to come together to talk will result gory and Nigeria ablaze.
Please ppl tell liar Muhammed Nigeria never have constitution, This 2014 they ill have it. And will celebrate it every year or when it needed