Special Correspondent, JULIUS ALABI, writes on the agenda and recommendations of the recent Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly, (SNPA) summit in Akure.
They came from far and near with a common message that the real change is hinged on the full implementation of the report of 2014 National Conference. Each speaker at the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly (SNPA) summit in Akure, Ondo State, sang the same song. In fact, to them, the full implementation of the report is the only true way of effecting a peaceful change in the affairs of the country, urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to jettison the document.
The summit was essentially convoked to examine and agree on core issues of nationhood. Participants were of the opinion that the president should drop what is seen in some quarters as the Northern agenda of his administration and govern in line with the constitution he swore to protect. They further reminded him of his epochal inaugural statement that he is “for everybody and for nobody”.
“A full implementation of the confab report is the only thing that can bring an enduring change,” the leaders chorused.
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, echoed the sentiments of the elders during the opening session of the strategic meeting of the group, in calling on the president to uphold the recommendations of the conference, which he said proffered solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
SNPA leaders at the meeting included Edwin Clark, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd.), Chris Ukpabi, Ifedi Okunna, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.), and Femi Okunrounmu.
Others were: Akpanyan Emmanuel, Olabisi Sangodeyi, Prof. Muibi Opeloye, Danki West, Moshood Adegoke, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Adetunji Adelekan, and Prof. Toye Adekunle.
Mimiko, who spoke against insinuations from the All Progressive Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) performed poorly in the last 16 years, insisted that one of the greatest achievements of PDP was in stabilising and sustaining democracy in Nigeria as well as conducting peaceful and credible elections.
He called on Buhari to be pro-active in correcting the pervading perception of compromising the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in the choice of Amina Zakari as its acting chairman. He also stressed the need for decentralised policing system, restructuring of Nigeria’s federation, and putting resource control under concurrent list for every state to have the enablement to tap its resources for the betterment of the people.
The governor extolled the virtues of former President Goodluck Jonathan in accepting defeat, especially for putting a call to Buhari to congratulate him, even when the official results had not been declared, and called on the president to be fair to all geo-political zones in the country when composing his cabinet.
SNPA leaders, on their own, appealed to the president to be fair and non-selective in the fight against corruption.
Among other things, the summit discussed the indivisibility of Nigeria, the practice of federalism, war against corruption, security of lives and property, good governance, rule of law and the development of the country as well as future appointments by the federal government.
It noted that the summit was a right step in the right direction. “We have no other country except Nigeria. It is therefore necessary for us all to stand in courage and debate issues that have to do with our continued existence because if we fail to do that which is right today, our failure will haunt us and our children tomorrow,” they remarked.
The group also advised President Buhari to ensure equity and fairness in his policies and programmes, in line with his promise to work for all Nigerians.
“We are acknowledging the president’s commitment to making the nation move forward. We must keep our nation united. That is the only way to ensure that generations after ours can have a better Nigeria than we have now. The implementation of the National Conference is very germane, as it will serve as a basis for us to get our structures right and move forward as a nation,” they insisted.
Summit Chairman, Bishop Gbonigi, while welcoming participants to the meeting, noted that the gathering was to proffer suggestions to the government in the areas of security of lives and property, good governance, rule of law and the development of the nation.
According to Gbonigi, “elections are over and Buhari is president of Nigeria and Nigerians”, adding that no section of the country should be over-patronised at the expense of others.
He added: “It is our sincere hope that the lopsidedness in the appointments made by Mr. President to date is not an indication of the trend of future appointments. The constitution must be respected and the diversity of Nigeria must reflect in all appointments to guarantee stability, unity, peace and progress. A situation where the President, Senate President, the Speaker and Chief Justice are from the North is not acceptable.
“The South is not subservient to the North, and the situation in which only the deputies are zoned to the South is not acceptable.”
While commending Buhari for setting up of Prof. Itse Sagay Presidential Advisory Panel on anti-corruption, Gbonigi, said: “We appeal to him to be total and non-selective in the fight against corruption. Justice and the rule of law must reign supreme, if the fight against corruption must be won.”
In their goodwill messages, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, who sent a representative, and Ijaw leader, Clark, called on the Buhari administration to ensure that the interest of the southerners was not jeopardised, saying that the principles of equity, fairness and justice must be put into use in future appointments to be made by the federal government.
Clark, who declared that he would no longer be a member of any political party, said: “It is my strong, irrevocable view that the fundamental state directive principles and federal character shall not only be respected, but must be seen to be adhered to by government for the overall interest and good of all Nigerians.”
On the fight against corruption, he advised that the war must not be selective, limited to perceived political enemies or to score cheap political point, but should be holistic and comprehensive.