Politics
Still On National Confab
Since the return of civil
rule in 1999, pro-democracy groups in Nigeria have been clamouring for a Sovereign National Conference where the various ethnic nationalities that make up the Nigerian state will be given the opportunity to re-negotiate their stake in the Nigeria project for their collective well-being. Both past and present administrations had been vehement in their opposition to the idea of convoking a Sovereign National Conference, basically to justify the nation’s representative democracy and the “indispensable” services being rendered by those at the helm of affairs. The National Assembly in particular had been very vociferous in opposing the idea and was never comfortable whenever such matter was being raised by members of the public. In 2012 the National Assembly had this to say.
“Talking about Sovereign National Conference now looks like going back to the days of tribal champions. It is like going backwards. For us, it is not just because we are sitting here (in National Assembly), but we are moving forward the fragile democracy.
“A Sovereign conference is suitable for countries that are coming out of war and not Nigeria. We believe that rather than solving the problems, the Sovereign National Conference will end up creating more problems for us.
“They should believe in National Assembly. They are talking about the constitution but there is no way the constitution will be perfect. But since we are in the process of reviewing and amending the constitution, let them take advantage of the exercise and present their grievances and proposals to the National Assembly, so that it could be taken care of”.
In order not to upset the apple cart President Goodluck Jonathan was supportive of the position of the National Assembly. Hear him:
“In recognition of the demands by Nigerians for a constitutional amendment, we set up the Justice Belgore Committee to bring up all those issues which have been agreed upon at previous National Conferences, for presentations as bills to the National Assembly and subsequent passage into law, while a larger body will meet on issues that are still controversial for a national consensus.
“The committee will bring up areas of national consensus from 2006 National Political Reform Conference for National Assembly’s consideration towards effecting constitutional amendments.”
Speaking at the annual national conference of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Calabar in August this year, the Senate President, David Mark, re-affirmed the position of the National Assembly on Sovereign National Assembly. Hear him:
“The National Assembly recognizes the right of Nigerians to aggregate, assemble or meet in any legitimate form or manner to discuss the affairs of their country and indeed encourages such fora as it is a constitutional right. A mark of such encouragement is the elaborate public hearings that have become part of our constitutional amendment process. We however, have difficulties with the calls by certain sections of the party for a Sovereign National Conference.
“The 1999 constitution (as amended) with all its imperfections, including its debatable origin, remains our grundnorm, our supreme law from which all other laws derive and express our sovereignty. It creates all the powers, institutions and authorities of the state to which we have all submitted. We have challenged its provisions in courts of law established by it and obeyed the decisions of the courts.
“We have therefore ratified the constitution by our conduct. The 1999 constitution (as amended) is a reality.
Consequently, where will the Sovereign National Conference be convoked and by whom and under what terms? I have been confronted by the argument that sovereignty derives from and belongs to the people. How then do we get the people to confer sovereignty on such a conference?
“These are intractable issues to be addressed by the agitations for Sovereign National Conference and that is why I subscribe to the proposal for an amendment to the 1999 constitution to provide for the making of a new constitution.”\
Surprisingly, President Jonathan, while playing host recently to a political pressure group, The Patriots, led by Professor Ben Nwabueze expressed support for the convocation of a conference for ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
“It is time to have a conference but the limitation we have is that the constitution appears to have given that responsibility to the National Assembly.
“I have also been discussing the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly. We want a situation where everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward.
However, Nigerians were stunned and dumbfounded when the Senate President, David Mark recoiled from his hard stance to lend weight to the convocation of national conference. His volte-face came barely a month after he had attended the NBA conference in Calabar where he reiterated the position of the National Assembly on the matter. Hear Senator Mark at the resumption of the Senate from annual recess on September 17 this year:
“We live in very precarious times and in a world increasingly made fluid and toxic by strange ideologies and violent tendencies, all of which currently conspire to question the very idea of the Nigerian state. But that is not to say that the nation should like the proverbial ostrich, continue to bury its head in the sand and refuse to confront the perceived or alleged structural distortions which have bred discontentment and alienation in some quarters. This sense of discontentment and alienation has fuelled extremism, apathy and even predictions of catastrophy for our dear nation.
“A conference of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities called to foster frank and open discussions of national question, can certainly find accommodation in the extant provision of the 1999 constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and of association. To that extent it is welcome.
“But be that as it may, such a conference if and whenever convened should have only a few red lines, chief among which would be dismemberment of the country. Beyond that every other question would be open to deliberations.
“However, I hasten to add that it would be unconstitutional to clothe such a conference with constituent or sovereign power. But the resolution of a national conference, consisting of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities and called under the auspices of government of the federation will indeed carry tremendous weight.
“And the National Assembly, consisting of elected representatives of the Nigerian people, though not constitutionally bound by such resolutions will be hard put to ignore them in continuing the task of constitution review. But to circumvent the constitution and its provisions on how to amend it and repose sovereignty in an unpredictable mass will be too risky a gamble and may ultimately do great disservice to the idea of one Nigeria,”
Could it be that President Jonathan eventually persuaded the senate president to have a rethink in the interest of the nation? But one thing is instructive: they only gave their consent to the convocation of national conference and not sovereign conference.
Political pundits are of the view that the presidency and the National Assembly are merely playing to the gallery in view of the 2015 general elections and the wave of political crisis pervading the nation. While it is too early to put to question the sincerity of the leadership of this great nation on the matter Nigerians would be gladdened if at the end of the day the resources expended on the convocation of the national conference would be justified.
Reward Akwu
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.