Delegates in shouting match over voting mode

The dispute is on whether issues should be decided by a two-thirds majority or a 75 per cent majority.The matter was adjourned from Monday to yesterday. But when it came up again, the session became rowdy and decision on the issue had to be adjourned indefinitely.The controversy started when the chairman Justice Idris Kutigi called […]

The dispute is on whether issues should be decided by a two-thirds majority or a 75 per cent majority.
The matter was adjourned from Monday to yesterday. But when it came up again, the session became rowdy and decision on the issue had to be adjourned indefinitely.
The controversy started when the chairman Justice Idris Kutigi called for a motion for the adoption of the rules. Delegates insisted that the issue of voting needed to be addressed first before the adoption of the rules.
That opened the floodgates of heated debates with delegates from the North advocating for a consensus or 75 percent majority vote, as provided in the Federal Government’s modalities for the conference.
Other delegates, all of them Southerners, said matters should be decided on the basis of two-thirds majority.
Chief Edwin Clark, a South- south delegate, cautioned that the position of both parties must not be allowed to stall proceedings at the conference and that to get out of the situation, delegates should vote on the issue.
This position was rejected by Dr Bello Halliru Mohammed from Kebbi state who insisted that every decision must be reached by consensus.
“Just look at the delegates’ composition. It is heavily lopsided. It is clear that some people want to use their number to intimidate others. This can’t happen,” he said.
Former Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, said the argument was a straight tussle between those who wanted change and those who wanted retention of the status quo. He said two-thirds majority vote remained the only solution.
Bashir Albasu, a retired police chief cautioned delegates that, “if this issue is not handled carefully, it will break this conference. I suggest that we refer this issue back to those who established this conference.”
All northern delegates supported the 75 percent majority vote, while southern delegates stuck to two-thirds.
In their contributions, Fola Adeola from Ogun State and Atedo Peterside moved that the conference chairman meets with leaders of delegates from the six zones for further deliberation on the issue. This was agreed upon.
A delegate who spoke to Daily Trust said the whole voting issue revolves around resource control. “The southern delegates want to use the two-thirds votes, which they have already at the conference, to pass all resolutions on resource control. But that is impossible. We are sticking to Mr President’s consensus or three-quarters majority vote,” he said.