Last week, members of the House of Representatives were divided across party lines over purported moves by the leadership of the House to scuttle plans for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC). Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, while addressing journalists in Abuja, stated a fortnight ago, that the clamour by some persons for the convocation of an SNC was uncalled for.
According to him, the problems of the country can be tackled by the National Assembly. Hon. Zakari further stated that the call by some persons for the convocation of a SNC was misplaced; noting that it was only in a country that’s at war and without government structures on ground that such calls could be made. He pointed out that with the two arms of the National Assembly as well as state assemblies in operation; those calling for the convocation of an SNC were not in tune with the reality on ground.
In a swift reaction, the Minority Leader of the House and head of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the lower chamber, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila convened a press conference where he denied any agreement by the leadership of the House to draw the curtains over agitations for an SNC.
“At no time did the House sit together as a body, either during plenary, or at an executive session to take a position on this very important national conversation,” Femi declared. “It is therefore important that as a caucus and a party we state our position clearly. We wish to make a clear distinction between writing a new constitution and amending the existing one.”
According to him, “If the national consensus is to write and produce a new constitution,” We will await the decision of Nigerians as to which way forward. Either way, as a caucus we recognize and subscribe to the view that the Nigerian state and our constitution need a major structural adjustment, particularly in the areas of fiscal federalism and state autonomy.”
In recent weeks, issues bordering on the corporate existence of the Nigerian state have continued to dominate public discourse across the country. Political leaders, parties, socio-cultural groups, legislators, have been beating the drum, calling for an SNC. Although no objective or modus operandi of this proposed SNC has been clearly defined by its proponents.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Senate mid-February clamped down on proponents of SNC. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, while briefing journalists said the National Assembly remained the only platform for any national discourse.
Senator Abaribe said, “Our position is that we are already elected to represent all persons and citizens of Nigeria. If you look at the composition you are either represented by a House of Representatives member or a senator.
“We do not think there is any matter under the sun that we will shy away from. We do not understand the stand of those who insist that there must be Sovereign National Conference.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are not against any group, association or persons meeting to discuss in so far the aim of such discussion is to ensure democracy. What we are saying is that there cannot be democracy without democrats.
“Therefore if you want any alteration to the way of life in the country the vehicle is the National Assembly. If you want to change the constitution, bring it through the Representatives and the Senate.”
In a similar move, President Jonathan had told the delegation of the South/South leaders led by Chief Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader and former minister of Information in the First Republic that the Justice Belgore Committee would articulate positions reached in previous conferences while a larger committee would meet on other issues that are still controversial for a national consensus.
“In recognition of the demands by Nigerians for a constitutional amendment, we set up the Belgore Committee to bring up all those issues which have been agreed upon at previous national conferences for presentation as bills to the National Assembly, and subsequent passage into law, while a larger body will meet on issues that are still controversial for a national consensus,” the president stated.
From the foregoing, it is clear that the views of the Nigerian Senate and the leadership of the House of Representatives also represent the position of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) judging by the fact that they have the majority of members in both chambers. The position of the ACN Reps’ Caucus represents the views of their party as well.
Rather than been championed for the common good of the Nigerian State, political parties have hijacked the SNC to further promote their agenda. The PDP and ACN have been at loggerheads over this issue while All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have also followed suit.
Stating the position of his party over agitation for convocation of SNC, the national chairman of APGA and leader of the party, Chief Victor Umeh said, “There is need to tell ourselves the truth. Those who in authority always want to protect their empire but when they leave office, they join the agitation for a national conference. Let them use the power they have to call people together so that we can dialogue.
“It is only a fool who can say there is no need for a dialogue now. If you don’t want war, the only thing you need is a dialogue. It’s only through dialogue that we can prevent war.”
Speaking on behalf of his party the CPC, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, described the lawmakers’ position as an affront to Nigerians.
He said, “The lawmakers should know that they do not have the power to reject the call that emanated from the people who elected the same lawmakers to their positions.
“Sovereignty belongs to the people and not to a few Nigerians, who also got the power to be on their seats from Nigerians. How can they say they are more powerful than those who gave them job?”
The All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) and the Labour Party (LP) are yet to officially state their positions on this SNC discourses.
With the recent drums of support from Northern leaders and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) calling on the federal government to listen to the agitations of Nigerians, the convocation of an SNC may therefore be imminent. Although other critical issues like the agenda for the SNC and its modus operandi are missing in the debate.
Whether this call for an SNC will address the key national questions and put off or neutralize the position of doomsday prophets will become clearer in the months ahead.