18th March, 2014
After its first day of sitting dedicated to questions from delegates on procedural, sitting arrangements, logistics and similar issues, the National Conference on Tuesday adjourned till next Monday.
Justice Idris Kutigi, the Chairman of the Conference announced the adjournment of the Conference till next week.
In response to questions from delegates on the issue of procedure, Valerie Azinge, the Secretary of the Conference told delegates that the Conference will adopt rules and procedures that will guide its proceedings.
In case of presentation by groups or stakeholders, Azinge said the group will nominate a speaker that will make a presentation on its behalf who will be given ten minutes to make the presentations.
She added that the Conference will also accept papers and presentations from delegates. According to her, whatever position the Conference will take on any issue will be determined by the majority of the delegates.
In response to other questions, the Secretary said the question of the possibility of a new constitution coming out of the Conference is for the delegates to determine. She said government will determine the appropriate legal framework to accommodate such a constitution if the need arises.
She also told the delegates that agenda for the Conference will emerge when sitting begin next week.
Mrs. Azinge added that delegates will be allowed to include issues not included in the agenda of the Conference by Secretariat in the next two weeks. However, she said the Conference will start next week by discussing the President’s speech at its inauguration.
In response to another question on the mode of prayer to be adopted at the Conference, the Chairman said a National Prayer will be adopted at the next sitting of the Conference.
A delegate, Musa Adede had earlier suggested that the second stanza of the National Anthem be adopted by the conference as its prayer. That was the prayer used during the inauguration of the conference.
In discussions over the sitting arrangements to be adopted at the Conference, former Governor Olusegun Osoba had suggested using alphabetical order, but that delegates who are 80 years and above and physically challenged persons should be given considerations.
His position was supported by Atedo Peterside.
A delegate had earlier stirred controversy when he requested to know why people who are representatives of their people and groups are being requested to stand up for elders and traditional rulers.
Apart from harping on the need for delegates to arrive on time for the plenary, Lagos cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare also canvassed for religious neutrality in the conduct of the affairs of the conference.
The Cleric who described himself as a national delegate from the South West warned against putting too much emphasis on religion at the Conference.
Pastor Bakare specifically drew attention to the Conference Chairman who always begin speaking by reciting some Islamic recitation arguing that the action can result in confusion if he also started speaking by saying, “Praise the Lord somebody,”. an action which he said may turn the Conference into a Church service.
He also advised some of the delegates who were clamouring to employ aides to be ready to pay for such aides from their allowances.
Just when discussion was hitting the level of arguments, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu, the Emir of Dutse calmed nerves as he told the delegates to eschew every form of bitterness and concentrate on the objective of the Conference which he said is solving the problems confronting the country.
“We are responsible for what Nigeria is today and we are also the answer to the problem of this country,” said the traditional ruler.
Another delegate,Senator Ita Giwa said some of those at the Conference are behind the problems confronting the country.
The former lawmaker also asked the organisers the procedure for submission of the delegates positions on the different issues to be tackled at the Conference.
Alhaji Sanni Zoro, a former president of Nigeria Union of Journalists emphasised on the need to address the delegates with their correct names and titles.