50 ‘wise men’ to break voting modality stalemate

There was stalemate yesterday at the National Conference as the Consensus Group of 50 delegates could not agree on the voting modality.The conference had rowdy sessions on Monday and Tuesday over the voting pattern which divided the delegates along North-South divide.When Tuesday’s session degenerated to shouting match among delegates, the conference chairman Justice Idris Kutigi […]

There was stalemate yesterday at the National Conference as the Consensus Group of 50 delegates could not agree on the voting modality.
The conference had rowdy sessions on Monday and Tuesday over the voting pattern which divided the delegates along North-South divide.
When Tuesday’s session degenerated to shouting match among delegates, the conference chairman Justice Idris Kutigi adjourned the sitting before the official closing time.
Yesterday, the chairman announced the names of 50 prominent delegates across the country, who would consult on finding a solution to the two-thirds/three-quarters dichotomy.
The chairman therefore adjourned the session to 4pm to allow the Consensus Group tackle the issue.
But when the conference reconvened the chairman announced again that the session had been adjourned to Monday to allow the 50 statesmen find an acceptable common ground.
The Consensus Group comprises Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Kunle Olajide, General Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Mike Ahamba, Dr Peter Odili, Chief Edwin K. Clark, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Prof. Jerry Gana.
Others are Alhaji Adamu Waziri, Malam Tanko Yakassai, Senator Ibrahim Idah, General Abdullah B. Mamman, Albert Horsfall, Mrs Josephine Anenih, Comrade Issa Aremu, Ms. Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau,   Hajiya Bola Shagaya and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba.
Also on the team are Amb. Vincent Okobi, Amb. Lawrence Ekpebu, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Dr. Joe Nwaogu, Mohammed Umara Kumalia, Prof. Awwalu Yadudu, Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, Obong Victor Attah, Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq Gwadabe, Ghali Umar Na’Abba,  Adamu Aliero and Atedo Peterside, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Prof. Isa B. Mohammed, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Senator Ken Nnamani, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed and Chief Olusola Akanmode, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, Emir of Gummi, Mr. Ledum Metee, Mr. Fola Adeola, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange Amange, Anayo Nebe, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Benjamin Elue, General Alani Akinrenade, Mr Nduka Obaigbena and Justice Mamman Nasir.
A delegate who spoke this reporter said the consensus group could not resolve the issue “because all the delegates were canvassing for interest that reflect the interest of their blocks. So, it is very difficult to reach a compromise.”
Another delegate told Daily Trust the voting matter must be addressed properly. “You can see that the delegates list is already lopsided and the north is at the disadvantaged,” he said.
“If we accept the two-thirds majority vote pattern being advocated by southerners, then it means that we are here to rubber stamp the whimsicalities of the southerners. So, there is no basis for us to come here. The conference is therefore useless.”