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National Conference: Delegates Resolve Voting Modalities

Delegates at the ongoing National Conference have resolved the impasse over the voting modality for reaching a decision at the conference. The delegates adopted a … Continue reading National Conference: Delegates Resolve Voting Modalities


National-conferenceDelegates at the ongoing National Conference have resolved the impasse over the voting modality for reaching a decision at the conference.

The delegates adopted a 70% majority voting requirement, as against the two-third and three-quarter that was proposed.

This was a key decision taken as the delegates resumed for the third week of the conference.

The delegates also rescinded an earlier decision to have delegates in committees pick their chairmen and deputy chairmen.

The conference resolved that the chairman of the conference would now be responsible for these and will try to ensure that the principle of federal character is maintained.

Series of unresolved arguments had delayed the take-off of real deliberations on issues at the National Conference, two weeks into its inauguration by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17.

This led to the setting up of the 50-man consensus group by the delegates, to discuss with the principal officers, so as to resolve the impasse.

According to the Deputy Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, while presenting the report of the outcome of the group’s meetings.

The committee met on the March 25 and 26 and had cordial deliberations as they worked in harmony to develop and put into effective use, the spirit of consensus with the national interest at heart.

“At the conclusion of deliberations, members reached a decision to amend Order VI Paragraph 4, XI paragraph 2 and XII paragraph 4 (e) as follows:

“In the case of failure to reach consensus, the matter shall be decided by majority vote of 70 per cent of delegates present and voting.

“That is the recommendation which that committee is bringing to you, distinguished delegates,” Akinyemi said.

The recommendation having been greeted with unanimous approval of the delegates, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, representing the Former Senators’ Forum, moved for the adoption of the motion, which was seconded by former Akwa Ibom Governor, Victor Attah, representing the Former Governors’ Forum.