National Conference: ‘Nigeria’s continued unity should be debateable’ – Afenifere

The Federal Government released the modalities for the National Conference during the week. According to the document, the dissolution and divisibility of Nigeria is not to be tabled at the Confab.

However Yoruba socio political organization, Afenifere has stated that Nigeria would have to discuss its unity or lack thereof before going forward as a Nation and the Confab is one of the best places to achieve this,

National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said, “We want to commend the government for the modalities set for the confab even though we are of the view that it could be better. But clearly, with allocation of slots to ethnic nationalities and other bodies rather than hand picking of delegates by the President and Governors like we saw during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, it shows some level of departure from the past.

“However, the Federal Government would be fooling itself and Nigerians that the continued corporate existence of the nation is a no go area during the confab. The government must face the reality on ground now that the nation sits on time bomb because of obvious misgivings, imbalances and injustices across the land. Therefore, there is need for all the regions and ethnic nationalities to agree on terms of existence of Nigeria.

“Nigeria is just a country of nations. While some are backing the Boko Haram and are busy killing innocent citizens up in the north, some northern governors are also of the view that power must shift to their region at all cost too and some of us believe in true federalism and fiscal policy. Therefore, every section of the country should not be afraid to discuss or discuss in fear.

“If we fail to talk about the unity of Nigeria now, we risk the danger of being separated someday by our differences. We disagree with Federal Government on that issue. Nigerians should not be deceived that all is well when we know that we are far from the reality. However, it is a welcome development to talk and we shall discuss all issues,” Afenifere’s scribe said.