Confab: Forum Of Former Speakers Reject Substitution Of Delegates Lists

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

A group under the aegis of Association of Former Speakers of State Legislature of Nigeria has condemned in totality the tinkering of the list of delegates it sent to the National conference, describing the action as unfortunate and out of tune with the spirit behind the convocation of the conference.

This was stated in a communique issued at the end of its meeting, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Simon Lalong, Secretary, Mr. Stanley Ohajuruka and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Friday Itula, and made available to African Examiner in Jos on Thursday.

The former speakers said that sequel to the allotment of six delegates to them through a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the government of the Federation they had chosen 1. RT. Hon Habu Isa Ajiya, North East (Taraba State), RT. Hon Mohammed Yaro, North West (Kaduna State,) RT. Hon Simon Lalong (North Central, (Plateau State), RT. (Sir) Stanley Ohajuruka, South East (Abia State), RT. Hon Azeez Alarape, South West (Oyo State), RT. Hon David Iyoha, South-South (Edo State)

The group lamented that the federal government in tinkering with the list substituted four of the proposed delegates with other names and therefore asked the government to revert to the original list in the interest of Justice and fairness.

The Speakers maintained that the list of delegates was chosen after a careful deliberation and with all the former speakers in attendance.

The communique reads:

“It would be recalled that the federal Government of Nigeria via a release from the Office Of The Secretary of the Government of the Federation allotted six (6) delegates to the forum and thereafter a meeting of the whole members was conveyed to Abuja on the 17th February, 2014 with large turnout of members across the federation and after deliberation, dialogue, consultation, election and consensus.

“The under listed were nominated as Forum nominees to the said conference and a letter to that effect was communicated and acknowledge by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the 18th February, 2014.

“However, to our chagrin, surprise, dismay and embarrassment four of our delegates were substituted and this unfortunate and condemnable act was frowned at by the entire members of the Association.

“As a result of the foregoing, the Association after much deliberation issued the following communiqué.

“That We commend the untiring efforts of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR. The President and Commander in Chief of Armed forces of federal Republic of Nigeria on his uncommon transformation agenda to reposition the country and for the honour accorded our Association via allotment of Six delegates to the National conference.

“The entire members condemned in strong term the purported substitution of our original and authentic list by a few minorities who allegedly claims they are acting from the above. 3. That the Federal Government should note that Association of Former Speakers is one indivisible and not a National Conference formed Association, as a result the honour, dignity and respect accorded the Senators and House of Representatives Forum should be extended to us.

“In view of fairness, justice, morality and equity, we urge the federal Government to revert to our original list because of the fact that we have been communicating to the Secretary of Federation ever before any inkling of National Conference. 5. For clarity of purpose once again the above nominees still remain our Association delegates to the National Conference.

“Lastly, while urging the federal Government to accede to our legitimate and morally induce request, it must be stated for record purposes that failure to adhere to our list would portend a fundamental and credibility question which the Conference intends to solve”.