Ahead of the planned National Conference by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, more reactions have been coming from prominent Nigerians.
During the homage paid to President Goodluck Joanthan during the Eid-el Fitri celebration at the Presidential Villa, Cardinal John Onaiyekan said the only way to organise Nigeria better is to talk about it as long as the talk is spelt out, while Senator Phili Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory says it is the prerogative of the National Assembly to ensure that the result of the conference is incorporated into the constitution.
The Minister for Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki and a former Minister of Transport, Mallam Isa Ibrahim Biu say President Goodluck Jonathan should be given the benefit of the doubt before anyone begins to criticise the move, for according to them, history will judge the sincerity of the conference.
President Jonathan had set up an advisory committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a national dialogue or conference.
The President announced the setting up of the committee to establish modalities for a national conference aimed at resolving issues that currently cause friction in the polity, while giving his October 1st Independence Day speech.
It would recalled that Senate President, David Mark, recently approved the convocation of a national conference noting that a conference of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities to foster frank and open discussions of the national question is welcomed and some political office holders have followed in the path of the Senate President.