It’s time to talk!

As someone who took very active interest in its work, especially the public hearings it conducted across all the geographical zones of the country, I am also gladdened by the fact that the committee consulted widely to produce the report within the time frame given it by the president. This in itself is a testimony […]

As someone who took very active interest in its work, especially the public hearings it conducted across all the geographical zones of the country, I am also gladdened by the fact that the committee consulted widely to produce the report within the time frame given it by the president. This in itself is a testimony of the support given to the committee from the beginning in spite of distractions from politicians and incurable optimists who are always quick to see hidden agendas in government initiatives and programmes even before taking time to understand them.
In further demonstration of the seriousness he has displayed about the initiative from when he first mooted the idea in his 2013 Independence Day broadcast, the president announced that he had already instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to make funds available so that the national conference can take off in earnest early next year. The president also immediately indicated that a team would be set up in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to begin work on the report of the Advisory Committee to facilitate the take-off of the national conference.
There can be no better demonstration of sincerity about the national conference than these initial steps. Nigerians should therefore complement the president’s efforts and sincerity by joining hands with him to ensure the success of the national conference.  In this regard, I will especially appeal to political parties, especially the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to give this opportunity a chance. Already, the nationwide consultations conducted by the Advisory Committee have succeeded in awakening Nigerians to the possibilities of the national conference.
As Dr Femi Okunrounmu, chairman of the Advisory Committee said, most Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the take-off of the national conference as they are excited by the prospect of participating in the setting of the groundnorm that would form a new Nigeria.  And contrary to genuine fear of some Nigerians, which is being blown out of proportion by some opposition politicians, there was only one demand for dissolution of the country as a federation in the public hearings held by the committee across 13 major cities of Nigeria.
In essence, Nigerians are still very much desirous of maintaining the status of their country as the most populous black nation in the world. But they desire a more perfect union, where tribe, religion or any other element will not be a hindrance.  The proposed national conference, therefore, is an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s unity and democracy; and every patriotic citizen should participate in it.
If, indeed, the well-being and survival of this country is their ultimate goal as they have been campaigning, then politicians in the opposition should join in this task to build a new Nigeria. This is an ample opportunity for Nigerians to build a more inclusive nation where justice for all would be the watchword.
Interestingly, the president has promised transparency during the conference. He said, “Whatever we do, we will be very transparent. And let me also repeat myself that I have no personal interest in this dialogue or conversation or conference. I will allow the will of Nigerians to prevail.”  With this comment, I am sure that many Nigerians have been further assured that there is no predetermined end to the proposed conference, contrary to the claims of some opposition politicians.
Also, at several times in the past, the president had demonstrated that he is a man of his word. In the run-up to the 2011 polls, for example, he promised to initiate a reform in the country’s electoral system. And he delivered in that promise. He has also delivered in other promises.
If the truth must be told, by supporting and participating fully in the conference, opposition politicians will not only be able to put the president’s assurance of neutrality to test, they will also have the opportunity to counter such predetermined end, if indeed there is any. The conference is an opportunity to remake Nigeria. All hands should be on deck to ensure that the government implements the recommendations of the Advisory Committee without delay, even as we prepare to make contributions to the national conference when it kicks off.
Momoh, a public policy analyst, wrote from Kaduna.