A public affairs analyst and Professor at the Pan Atlantic University in Lagos, Austin Nweze, on Thursday said that the All Progressives Congress is only playing politics by saying it has no trust in the proposed National Conference initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The opposition party, particularly the APC, has voiced its distrust in the process but
Prof. Nweze insisted that it is all politics.
“There’s politics in this. Like the opposition saying that they don’t trust this man (Jonathan), it’s all about politics,” he said, adding that “the situation in Nigeria is so critical today that it should not be left in the hands of politicians alone.”
While speaking on Sunrise Daily, he stressed that the Conference is a “great opportunity for us to really restructure this nation,” adding that Nigerians need to show courage and take the risk.
The National Dialogue which many have clamoured for would not only help the citizens to discuss on how they want to be ruled, it will be a legacy recorded for President Jonthan should it hold, Nweze opined.
“If I were the president I will make sure that it holds because it will do him a lot of good. That’s the legacy he will leave for Nigerians beyond 2015 even if he doesn’t contest.”
Speaking on the timing of the Conference, which many have dubbed ‘wrong’ as it is too close to 2015, the election year; Prof. Nweze said he had no problem with it as it is long overdue.
Speaking on the level of representation, Prof. Nweze stressed that the middle class in any society is largely saddled with determining the way forward for the nation.
“The middle class determines the direction for the nation and thereafter “communicate with the grass root, to support, for that nation to move forward.”
Although he expressed belief that the National Dialogue would be a means of addressing issues bedeviling the nation but added that it may not change as the nation may return to status quo. “‘Self-interest’ would be a major problem,” Nweze emphasised.
He admonished politicians to put aside their political leanings for the benefit of the nation.
