National Dialogue: Resolutions Should Be Subjected To A referendum – Lawyers

A cross section of lawyers in Delta state has advocated that the outcome of the National Dialogue should be referred to a referendum to reflect the wishes of the people.
Some of the lawyers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba,  on Tuesday said the resolutions should not be submitted to the National Assembly.
According to them, if the outcome of the dialogue is left in the hands of the National Assembly, the aim will be defeated.
Chief Peter Uwanoghor, former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ughelli Chapter in the state said the conference should be organised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said that if the outcome of the dialogue was submitted to the National Assembly, it would become mere legislation instead of the decision of the people.
“This is an opportunity Nigerians were yearning for in this country. So it should not be mismanaged.
“The National Assembly can amend the constitution but we are fashioning out the basis of our existence and the structure of that existence and the inter relationship of the various components of the country,’’ he said.
Mr Patrick Oganwu, also a former NBA Chairman, Warri Chapter, holding a referendum was necessary because many Nigerians had lost confidence in some of its institutions.
He, therefore, said that the outcome of the dialogue should go to the people via a plebiscite or a referendum.
On his part, former NBA Chairman in the state, Mr Sunny Asanuye said that if the result was referred to the National Assembly, the entire exercise would be in futility.
Meanwhile, Mr Austine Icheghe, current Chairman, Ughelli NBA was of the opinion that the resolutions should be referred to the National Assembly since they were the representatives of the people.
“If the National Assembly is allowed to handle the conference, it will save time and cost and also have a binding effect on the populace,’’ he said.