Read President Jonathan's Speech on the Occasion of the Inauguration of the National Advisory Committee
On the Occasion of the Inauguration of the National Advisory Committee
On our Country's Conversation towards a Greater Nigeria.
State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja
Monday October 7th 2013
PROTOCOLS
1. Today, we are taking historic and concrete steps that will further
strengthen our understanding, expand the frontiers of our
inclusiveness and deepen our bond as one people under God.
2. In my address to the Nation on the occasion of our 53rd
Independence and Golden Anniversary as a Republic, I announced that in
response to the yearnings of our people, we had decided to take on the
responsibility of decisively and genuinely exploring the option of a
National Conversation.
3. In furtherance of this objective, Government announced the names of
some Nigerians, with wide experience from various disciplines, to form
membership of an Advisory Committee to facilitate a most acceptable
process that will bring our aspirations to fruition. Our gathering
here today is to formally inaugurate this child of necessity, the
Advisory Committee to midwife this Conversation.
4. Permit me to very quickly review the foundational principles that
drive our action, and also address a few matters arising. Firstly, let
me emphasize that this is a National Project, a sincere and
fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and
genuinely resolving, longstanding impediments to our cohesion and
harmonious development as a truly united Nation.
5. There is a view by some of our people that we do not need to sit
together to dialogue over the socio-political challenges facing our
country. Some believe that because we have held several Conferences in
the past, we do not need to hold another one. I was one of those who
exhibited scepticism on the need for another Conference or Dialogue.
My scepticism was borne out of the nomenclature of such a Conference,
taking into cognizance existing democratic structures that were
products of the will of the people.
6. However, we are in a democracy, and in a democracy; elected leaders
govern at the behest of the citizenry. As challenges emerge, season
after season, leaders must respond with best available strategies to
ensure that the ship of state remains undeterred in its voyage.
7. Nations rise to the challenges that each epoch presents. It is
imperative therefore, that in our march to nationhood, we have to be
dynamic in our approach and response to the problems, even as we seek
solutions to them. We cannot proffer yesterday's solutions to today's
problems.
8. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us remind ourselves of the
gains from previous Conferences and Dialogues. The Conferences that
were held before 1960 were designed to produce a political system and
a roadmap to Nigeria's independence.
9. The Constitutional Conference of 1957 in London, for example,
effectively prepared Nigeria for Independence. The Eastern and Western
regions were granted self-government in 1957, while the Northern
region got its own in 1959. The Office of the Prime Minister was
created and it was also decided that the Federal Legislature would be
Bi-cameral.
10. Furthermore, the Constituent Assembly of 1978 gave us the 1979
Constitution and also created the current Presidential System with its
attendant checks and balances and Fundamental Human Rights provisions.
The 1999 Constitution we operate today, is a successor to the 1979
Constitution and records show that the 1999 Constitution also
benefited from reports and recommendations arising from the 1994/1995
Constitutional Conference.
11. Although not enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the idea of the
current Six Geo-Political Zones that have become one of the avenues
for equitable distribution of projects and public offices in Nigeria
was also a product of Dialogue that emerged from the 1994/1995
Constitutional Conference.
12. The 2005 National Political Reform Conference produced a number of
key recommendations that were sent to the 5th Assembly, which were
however not perfected. In 2010, I reasoned that the outstanding
recommendations from the 2005 Conference be revisited.
13. It was my view that Government is a continuum and that we must
find ways to strengthen the foundation of our Union. I proceeded to
set up the Justice Alpha Belgore Committee with a mandate to review
the report for possible implementation, especially the areas were
there was a common agreement. The committee worked hard and came out
with its report that included a number of Bills, which were forwarded
to the National Assembly.
14. We believe that these Bills will form key components of the
on-going Constitutional Review by the National Assembly.
15. Clearly, every dialogue adds something valuable to our evolving
Nation. The urgency of a National Conversation in the present
therefore, need not be over emphasized.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we continue to strive to
build a strong and virile Nation, especially in the midst of
agitations and tensions, we cannot deny the fact that sitting down to
talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channelling our
grievances, misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the
good of our Country.
17. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Senate President, and the
leadership and members of the National Assembly for the support they
have given to this important National Project.
18. The concept of participatory democracy is such that even after the
people have given their representatives the mandate to make laws and
act on their behalf, there is also a space for the governed to make
further input into the political processes, without undermining the
authority of the statutory bodies. Sovereignty continues to be with
the people even as the people evolve strategies and tactics to
strengthen its foundation for the benefit of successor generations.
19. It is this sort of collaboration between the people and
established institutions of government, that will allow for a robust
outcome that leads to greater understanding and a more cohesive and
inclusive Union. For me, there is no alternative to inclusivity,
equity and justice in a modern democratic state.
20. I will therefore like to allay the fears of those who think the
Conference will call the integrity of Nigeria into question. This
National Discourse will strengthen our union and address issues that
are often on the front burner, and are too frequently ignored.
21. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Committee Members, this is a serious
task, and history beckons on you not to disappoint our people. I want
to charge you to consult widely before sitting down to develop the
framework that will guide and guard the proceedings of the
discussions.
22. In the task before you, no voice is too small and no opinion is
irrelevant. Thus, the views of the sceptics and those of the
enthusiasts must be accommodated as you formulate this all important
framework. This Conversation is a People's Conversation and I urge you
to formulate an all-inclusive process that protects the people's
interest.
23. Let me also urge the Advisory Committee not only to be alive to
the expectations of our people, but to bear in mind, that what we
desire is what can work for the good of our people and country. The
goal is to bequeath a better and a greater Nigeria to the present and
the generation that is to come.
24. Ladies and Gentlemen, We have wasted too much time and resources,
bickering over sectional versions of what define reality. This is an
open-ended luxury we can no longer afford. Let us move forward, with
honest conviction and patriotic courage, to strengthen this Republic,
and get it to work better and brighter, for all of us, to the glory of
God.
25. On this note, I hereby inaugurate the National Advisory Committee
on this significant National Assignment and give the Committee six
weeks to submit its report. I thank you for accepting to serve and I
wish you the very best of wisdom in this very important call to duty.
26. Congratulations! I thank you.
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