Leaders in the Southern region, including the leader of the South South, Edwin Clark, Leader of the South East, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Leader of the South West, Bishop Bolande Gbonigi, have released a communique expressing their support for the National Conference.
The communiqué by the Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly (SNPA) read that members believed that the National Conference would strengthen the unity of Nigeria, rather than lead to the disintegration of the country.
Therefore, the Southern Assembly resolved to not only participate in the National Conference, but also enjoined patriotic Nigerians to be part of the conference with the sole objective of contributing to the development of the country.
The statement further read: “In line with global practices, the 75 percent consensus clause in the modalities for the National Conference needs to be revisited/reviewed for ease of decision making.
“That the SNPA enjoins all governors of the seventeen states of Southern Nigeria, irrespective of their political affiliations to meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest. We crave that the inaugural meeting of the governors should be held as soon as possible.
“That in furtherance of the SNPA decision in our Lagos conference, the Southern Assembly re-affirms its support for the exercise of the constitutional right of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to seek re-election in 2015.”