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Makarfi Heads FG Committee on Political Reforms
From Agaju Madugba in Kaduna, 12.01.2004
The Federal Government has constituted a committee to reform the nation's political agenda. The committee, which is saddled with the main task of preparing a background report for the convocation of a "national dialogue" in the country, is headed by Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State. Speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna yesterday, Makarfi said the proposed 'national dialogue' would discuss a broad spectrum of issues, including political and electoral reform structures of government. According to him, the political reform committee is only limited to preparing a background paper that will be subjected to a national discourse and dialogue, by a larger national body. "What is agreed there will be taken as the views of the people of Nigeria and those that require legislation will be taken to the National Assembly while those that require administrative handling will be handled administratively. "We (the committee) are to (also) recommend the structure of this larger national body and how the membership will be formed." Makarfi accused Nigerians of rumour mongering aimed at causing mischief and dismissed insinuations that the committee was designed to map out strategies for the alleged third term bid of President Olusegun Obasanjo. According to him, "it is not a committee for any particular amendment of a particular section of the constitution. We should begin to do what is right by avoiding spreading rumour which will overheat the system and complicate the situation. "Whatever form this national discourse will take, the ACF will be fully represented." Chairman of ACF Board of Patrons and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, decried the "Indigene-ship" phenomenon which had engendered ethno-religious acrimony in parts of the country. According to Gowon, "the reality of our mixed social and cultural relationships which is a result of centuries of population movements, inter-marriages and interactions has made it futile and impossible for any group or community in Nigeria to attempt to lock out other Nigerian groups or community and to attempt to carve out an exclusive sphere of influence on an empire, on the basis of religion, ethnic, economic or any other considerations. "The serious conflicts and differences we have witnessed over the last few years in this country, particularly in the North, seem to emanate from economic or political causes or a combination of both, aggravated by ethnic or religious prejudices. "We cannot spare words in deploring the growing tendency among groups or communities to promote and whip up resentment and xenophobia against other Nigerians living and settling with them."
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