Jonathan approves National Conference report

Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim told State House journalists after the meeting, that the Council approved the modalities for implementing the report as recommended by the conference.He explained that the implementation, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke looked at the entire report and advised the president that […]

Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim told State House journalists after the meeting, that the Council approved the modalities for implementing the report as recommended by the conference.
He explained that the implementation, chaired by Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke looked at the entire report and advised the president that the recommendations therein were implementable.
“They (the conference) not only came up with recommendations, they not only agreed on basic measures, but they also recommended to government on how to implement those recommendations and resolutions,” Anyim said.
He described the approval of the report as the first leg of taking concrete steps towards implementing the recommendations and resolutions of the conference.
Anyim said the council agreed that the resolutions and recommendations with implications on constitutional amendment, the Attorney-General should compile and vet them for onward transmission to the National Assembly for enactment into law.
“So, we expect that in the nearest future, the Attorney-General will have concluded work on them and they’ll be forwarded by Mr President to the National Assembly,” Anyim said.
He however noted that, matters requiring constitutional amendment is not really the responsibility of the National Assembly alone but have to work with the State Assemblies in bringing effect.
Anyim said the Council also resolved that recommendations that have to do with policy matters and require implementation by federal agencies be referred to the agencies for immediate implementation while those requiring action by state governments or state agencies be referred to the states and same for local government areas.
On whether the president approved the report based on pressure from various groups, the SGF said: “Nothing like any pressure. The president just kept his promise.”
Asked whether the approval was aimed at scoring a political point in the forthcoming general elections, Anyim said it was not because of the elections.