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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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The Patriots, Enahoro's group to write Obasanjo on confab
THE proponents of the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference may have joined forces to advance their cause.
Yesterday in Lagos, two groups in favour of the conference, The Patriots led by Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN) and Nigerians United for Democracy under the chairmanship of Chief Anthony Enahoro, rose from a meeting with a resolve to write President Olusegun Obasanjo on its imperative and the state of the nation.
The decision to write President Obasanjo, The Guardian learnt, was taken at the joint meeting held at the Ilupeju, Lagos home of Chief Williams.
Sources close to the meeting disclosed to The Guardian that the Enahoro-led group briefed The Patriots on the steps so far taken by NUD towards the actualisation of the conference.
These included the shape of and the modalities for the election of delegates to the conference. The NUD, it was learnt, decided to carry the campaign to the doorsteps of The Patriots in order to allow the group comprising of eminent constitutional lawyers like Chief Williams, Prof. Ben Nwabueze and others make input before releasing its moves to the public.
The leadership of the groups, it was learnt, resolved to write the President on the imperative of the conference against the background of renewed ethnic conflicts across the country.
Also, the joint meeting will also write the President on the legal and political implications of the new Labour Bill passed last week by the Senate.
To the group, the law is not only anti-people but will not help the cause of democracy in Nigeria.
Indeed, yesterday's meeting was a follow-up to a private meeting between Enahoro and Williams, which took place in Lagos recently.
Chief Williams, The Guardian learnt, is said to be in support of NUD's plan for an alternative platform for a Sovereign National Conference as the government seems to be cold towards a national dialogue to resolve the national question.
The NUD has been championing the move towards a national conference, which it claims is the only solution to the nation's problem.
But the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo has insisted that convening the conference will erode the institution of democracy in the country.
To the government, the National Assembly, which is elected by the people, is capable of deliberating on any issue affecting the nation. President Obasanjo said such a conference as is being canvassed is only practicable under the military government.
When reporters sought Chief Ayo Adebanjo's comments after the meeting, he refused to make any elaborate comments.
He, however, confirmed that the two groups would soon send a memo to President Obasanjo on the state of the nation.
Those who attended yesterday's meeting apart from Williams and Enahoro included Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Isaac Shahu, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, Chief Lanihun Ajayi, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Solomon Asemota, among others.
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