National Dialogue: Tinubu Is On His Own – Middle Belt Youth Forum

[Shola Sholaz]

The spokesman of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Elder Sunday Oibe in an interview responds to issues arising from diverse reactions to the recent proposal for a national conference by President Goodluck Jonathan. Excerpts:
Do you think the proposed national conference could address the problems of the nation?
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I will say, first and foremost, the president's proposal is the best thing that has happened to this country since 53 years of its independence. No doubt, there had been several attempts in the past to get the people to talk, some of them, during military regimes, but this appears to the most appealing. Ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated a Constitutional Conference which was ignominiously rested by informed persons who saw the exercise as an agenda for a third term agenda of the then president.
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Since the June 12, 1993 annulled elections, Nigerians, especially the South West have been campaigning for a sovereign national conference as a result of perceived imbalances and inequalities in every aspect of the nation. It is therefore very expedient that the national conference is supported by every Nigerian so that we as a nation can give effect to the Constitution of the country.
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It is important for every segment of the country to sit at a round table to find reason to begin a journey toward recreation of a complex nation and negotiate our way out of the wedge of differences and suppressed frustrations and build a nation where everyone can feel equal. The Constitution of the country must be respected by all and we all must uphold its spirit. So, the dialogue is timely, expedient and very welcome.