NATIONAL CONFERENCE: PANACEA TO NIGERIA’S SOCIO-POLITICAL QUAGMIRE?
By Nathaniel Amroboraro,
200 level,
Department of English Language,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
nathdactivist2050@gmail.com, +2348163205216
Kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan for assenting to the Nigerian National conference. His action here, is a square peg in a square hole. Thank God it’s coming just before the due manifestation of Sir Lord Lugard’s ill-fated prophecy that Nigeria was meant to last no more than a hundred years.
But, could this prophecy be true? Whatever might be the answer, I think the outcome of the National Conference could be the final say here.
But there are several questions as to what the future holds after the constitutional conference. Of course, this is not the first time such an event would be held. Nevertheless, How far can a National Conference go?
Can it make the South-East forget about their 2015 presidential ambition? Can it put an end to the boko haram insurgency? Can it put an end to periodic ASUU strikes? Can it restore unity in PDP? Would it compel President Goodluck Jonathan forget about his ‘2nd term’ ambition? Would it revive the broken bones of the PDP zoning formula? Would it stop the Nigerian students from disrupting the NUGA games scheduled to hold during the on-going ASUU strike? Can it make the 2015 general elections hold peacefully? Would it make Asari Dokubo reverse his statement about shedding blood on the streets if GEJ is not returned as the president of Nigeria come 2015?
Would it amend the introduction to the Nigerian constitution by allowing the freedom of secession? Would states be allowed to own their own armed forces, flag, anthem, coat of arms, etc. as obtainable today in the State of Osun (formerly known as Osun State)? After all, the United States of America has about 50 States and they all have the freedom to secede.
Is it going to lead an implementation of Chapter 2, Section 14, Sub-Section 2, Paragraph (b), which states, “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the Government”? And also Sub-Section 3 and 4 of that same Section? Would it give way for the federal character to take its place? Would there be an equitable re-distribution of the Nation’s wealth?
Would it bring about an end to the prevailing Boko Haram menace? Would it sponsor an investigation into the death of over a hundred students that were found dead in the college of agriculture, Yobe State, following the attack of Boko Haram on innocent students? Will the families of the deceased be compensated?
Would the communique force the Federal Government to increase the funding of education from 8.5% to UNESCO’s recommendation of 26% for developing Nations? Would the outcome of the conference lead to a decrease of tuition fees in schools such as LASU which students’ pay between N195,000- N360,000 annually?
Can it put an end to the abuse of power by the armed forces? Would the Commissioner of Police, Delta state apologize to protesting students that were brutalized in Asaba during their peaceful protest (due to the ASUU strike) on Thursday, August 23, 2013?
Would the commissioner of police, Rivers State be made to bear responsibility and apologize to Governor Amaechi for the constant harassment that forced him to go on an immediate vacation abroad? Would it restrain the Army from taking laws into their hands by unduly harassing citizens of Nigeria?
Would it lead to an amendment of the Nigerian Land Use Act of 1978? Would there be a balanced joint ownership of land between the Government and the Citizens? Would Citizens be responsible for the natural resources beneath their lands?
Would it lead to a practice of true federalism? That which can be obtained in other Countries such as the United States of America where States are allowed to develop at their own pace without ‘excessive’ intervention from the Federal Government?
What would be the revenue allocation formula aftermath? Would it promote the Marxists’ theory of from each according to his ability, and to each according to his need? Or would it allocate revenue to each state based on the States’ revenue derivation? Would the money derived from crude oil still be used to develop the North while the owners (South) suffer?
There are several more questions which this National Conference must as a matter of necessity, provide answers to, if the prophecy of Sir Lord Lugard is to be rendered null and void due to its inconsistency.