KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

National Dialogue: Nigerians abroad react

ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas, USA

aorabuchi@netzero.net

Thursday, February 3, 2005

The National Dialogue proposed by President Obasanjo has dominated many discussion groups for a couple of weeks. Majority of the people and groups are skeptical about the sincerity of the government in convoking a genuine national conference. These people have raised the undulating issues of legitimacy, control, selection process, manipulation, agenda, and the ultimate adoption of the proceedings arising from the conference.

On January 30, 2005 Pan Ndi Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. issued a press statement entitled, “Ndi Igbo under the auspices of Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation (PNF USA) strongly support the convocation of a Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN) for National Dialogue” that captured a rich tapestry of opinion of Nigerians in the Diaspora. The excerpts:

“Ndi-Igbo in the Diaspora under the aegis of Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. (PNF USA) resolved once again to support a genuine Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN) for a National Dialogue in Nigeria. After evaluating the state of things in Nigeria and the direction the country is going, it has become morally imperative and politically expedient to convene the Sovereign National Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN) for a momentous national dialogue.

Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. (PNF USA) strongly supports the convocation of a genuine Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN) for a National Dialogue. The Nigerian structure is flawed to the extent that it would only take a genuine national dialogue to begin to find lasting solutions to the structural impediments. PNF USA does not support the Federal Government sponsored national dialogue. However, we do not believe that the government is sincere; a government that has resisted vehemently the convocation of SNC for so long could not all of a sudden have the temerity to initiate a genuine national dialogue. The federal government’s call for a national dialogue at this time may be a ploy to hoodwink the masses considering the general principles inherent in the government’s proposal.

We advise President Obasanjo to send a bill on Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN) for a National Dialogue so that the National Assembly would pass a law enabling the convocation of SNC as soon as possible. National Assembly has to legitimize CEN for a National Dialogue before its convocation to give the process not only the desired authority and legitimacy, but also the legal and unfettered freedom for its content and context. The participation of the National Assembly should be limited to the legislating the dialogue. CEN for a national dialogue cannot be micro managed; the delegation must come from the grassroots by election and not by selection.

Any elected or appointed official in this dispensation should not be allowed to participate in the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities (CEN). Anything worth doing is worth doing well. The government should not be allowed to select who would participate. All interests must be accommodated; all ethnic groups must be represented. Again, participants should come from the grassroots through a genuine, but simple election process. The information about this should be disseminated promptly and widely; the masses should be sensitized about the national dialogue.

There should be unscripted and unrestricted modalities for the CEN for national dialogue to work to the advantage of all Nigerians. Also, the participants should have wide latitude to discuss variety of issues facing the country.

PNF USA is worried that Ndi-Igbo may not be prepared with their position ready to be discussed. What are we going to bring to the table? Have the Igbo discussed and agreed on the agenda they would table and discuss during the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities once it is convened? PNF USA is advising the Igbo to get ready to have their interests protected. We cannot afford to be caught by surprise. We cannot continue to be subjugated in Nigeria.”

Tony Otoiheoma Egbe opined:

“[Ndiigbo] should support a new Nigeria Structure of Governance, i.e. Let each state have & manage their own Govt., Resources, Civic Duties (Police Force), Education, Economy...etc. and contribute to the Central Government. Purse, per their revenue. In short just like it is done in the USA.

Such a structure will allow healthy competition and its attendant growth, as was the case before the Biafra war, where the Four Regions thrived on their own and worked progressively to compete and develop at their own pace. The key to our collective survival, as the Nigeria Nation.”

Dr. Faith-Michael Uzoka noted:

 “The fact that the president agrees to call a national confab points to the fact that he is under pressure to do something. My notion after his third year in office (1st term) was that he would eventually convene a national conference during his second term. He may have an agenda, which nobody may correctly guess.

Whether the members of the Confab are 'elected' or selected may not make any serious difference. This is because an election would eventually turn to selection by virtue of our election history.

Using Ekwueme as Chairman casts doubts on the intentions behind the conference. Ekwueme is not known to be a very resolute fellow. He doesn't seem to have the shoulders to withstand pressure. Such a confab needs someone who is undaunted, resolute and has an unquestionable independent mind. Obasanjo is free to appoint any Nigerian from any part of the country. However the person he decides to appoint would have something to say about the credibility of the confab. In fact, Ekwueme himself should do a self x-ray on why Obasanjo is interested in using him as chairman.”

Sylvanus N. Okoye enumerated his views as follows:

• “Ohanaeze/Igbo National Assembly (INA) would prepare what our stand would be at the conference.

• Individuals, Associations could also prepare what they think would be in the best interest of Ndi Igbo/SE.

• All the proposals would be made available on this forum so that everybody could comment on them.

• From the above comments/discussions, Ohanaeze/INA would delegate some people to represent us at the conference. My personal view is that Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi would be one of them. But it should be made clear to them that they will be there only to negotiate for Igbo interest and that whatever they obtain would be subjected to a referendum.

• The agreement reached at the conference would be made available here on the forum and to all Igbo in Nigeria. This would be followed by a referendum (everyone voting either yes or no to the agreement). It is essential that the referendum is not rigged, but we will come to that later.

• Up till now, we used to argue that Nigeria has been concocted by the British without our input. It has been a very strong argument to opt out of Nigeria if we wanted. It is therefore very important not to agree to any agreement without first negotiating well and again reading it well before ratifying it, because if we ratify the agreement, we won’t have any more excuses.”

Responding to the call for a national dialogue, David C. Obi said, “My response is that the dialogue is a non-starter. I want SNC that is not loaded with government nominees.”

Ezejiofo Udeh orated:

 “Perhaps, one is pressed to question the legitimacy of the National Political Reform Conference/Dialogue.  How can you bar elected officials and at the same time grant them the power to nominate?   Is the National Political Reform Conference/Dialogue a quest for Obasanjo to attain legitimacy for the charade of 2003 election/selection?  Or is it another ploy at self-succession of Mr. President and the Governors?  Why are the members of this body not elected by the people? The last time I checked sovereignty rest with the people. Where are the people in this case?  Are those elected/selected in 2003 the people? I do not feel it.

Therefore, Ndiigbo must understand this coming gathering for what it is, suspicious.  We must not go there and lay all our cards on a slanted table. But, on the other hand we must not shy away from a conference or a dialogue. We must participation to the true meaning of the two words.  And our single demand is to be treated fairly in Nigeria by putting all the machinery in place for Onye-Igbo to be the next president of Nigeria in 2007 period!”

While the debate about the modalities of the national dialogue may dissipate with time, the proceedings, good or bad, may leave an indelible mark in the heart of many Nigerians. Anything worth doing is definitely worth doing well!