Umbrella Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo has insisted on equal representation of the six geo-political zones in the composition of the national dialogue.
Ohanaeze, which presented its memorandum to the National Dialogue Advisory Committee also recommended a chairman and six vice chairmen, one from each geo-political zone for the conference. It said all issues should be discussed at plenary and followed by discussions, questions and answers.
President General of the organisation, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, who was accompanied by prominent Igbo leaders, said he was speaking for all Igbo speaking people, no matter their geographical origin.
“We propose 60 delegates from each zone, and since this conference is essentially about ethnic nationalities, it is expected that each zone should bring ethnic nationalities in their zone, and special interest groups, such as women, labour union, youths, religious groups and the disabled. Political parties should not play any role in the selection of the delegates.”
The Igbo organisation believes that the methodology of selecting delegates should be done by each zone based on its natural diversities and composition.
Ohanaeze said to ensure the legality and intergrity of the conference, it should be instituted through the National Assembly, advising that the President should send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to legalise the conference.
It suggested that the Conference should not exceed the tenure of the present administration.
“It was necessary to conclude the work of the conference (including the enactment of the New Constitution) before the end of the tenure of the present government, so that the next elections will be held under the New Constitution,” Ohanaeze opined.
It suggested as follows: 2013 October 07 – November 30, Work for the advisory committee; 2013 December 1 – December 31, Processing and enactment of conference Act; 2014 January 1 – April 30, work of Conference; 2014 May 1 – May 31, Drafting of New Constitution; 2014 June 1 – June 30, Referendum on New Constitution and 2014 July 1 – September 30, administrative restructuring for New Constitution.
Ohanaeze also recommended that the outcome of the Conference be subjected to a national referendum/plebiscite and adopted thereafter as the Constitution.
While insisting that there should be ‘no go’ areas, Ohanaeze listed issues to be discussed as political structure of Nigeria, forms of government/tenure, power of the forms of government/devolution, citizenship right and structure of the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies to improve the security of life and property of Nigerians.
Also to be tabled are Judicature, Population and census issues, religion and secularism and the place of traditional rulers and institutions, among others.
At the presentation yesterday were former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu, First Republic parliamentarian, Mbazuluike Amaechi, and former Ohanaeze president, Igwe Eze Ozobu.
Other organisations, such as Southeast Elders Council and Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers adopted the Ohanaeze memorandum.
