The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, has argued that the idea of a National Conference is the best for the country.
Anyim, who spoke to Channels Television correspondent, Lanre Lasisi in Abuja, advised Nigerians to take the advantage this conference provides, by bringing up all issues that have slowed down the development and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
He began by speaking on the referendum and the role the National Assembly will be playing in the entire process.
He noted that there are only few places where the constitution provided for referendum; like creation of new states and boundary adjustment issues, but the Government was not interested with that part of the constitution.
He explained that the Federal Government is concerned about making sure that it implements the recommendations of the National Conference as legally permitted under the laws of the country.
“There is a constitution in place, there is sovereignty in place, there is a parliament in place, and there is government in place. All these are established under a constitution and the only provision made by that constitution is for amendments.
“Even if you want to replace the existing constitution with a new one, the National Assembly still needs to meet to put one sentence – we hereby amend this constitution by replacing it with this one. There is no running away from it,” he said.
While assuring Nigerians on the genuiness of the rationale behind the convening of the National Conference, he said that the purpose for the conference was not to create chaos, or to overrule the existing order, but to strengthen it.
Possible Clash With Political Activities
Questions have been raised about the timing of the conference, and how the 3 months planned for it would be accommodated as it coincides with the heavy political activities leading up to the 2015 general elections.
Mr Anyim explained that the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Committee, INEC had been well considered by the government and from all indications, the plan is on track.
He assured that the government is poised to make sure that the conference rounds off before the commencement of election activities.
He, however, added that the composition of participants at the National Conference would be Nigerians from all walks of life that are well aware of the Nigerian challenges and it will therefore not be a problem articulating what the problems are, as agreeing on a way forward is the most important thing, and this can be achieved within the planned 3 months.
He also assured Nigerians that every stage in the process will be transparent and will be people driven.
“Nigerians are at liberty actually to decide the pace to go, the direction to go and how to do that. I want to believe that the sincerity on the side of the government, you can go to bed with, the commitment on the side of government, you can take for granted. For us there is nothing too peculiar or personal for anybody in government” he assured.
Source: Channels TV
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