Governor Elechi. who made his feelings known at his Ndufu Alike country home in Ikwo local government area of the state when the Founding Fathers Forum of Ebonyi State paid him a Christmas visit, noted that the dialogue, apart from posing a distraction to President Goodluck Jonathan’s developmental programmes, would also pose a big threat to the president as the general election approaches.
The governor, an ardent ally of the president, stated these in reaction to enquiries by his visitors on the modalities of selecting delegates from the state and issues that should form their collective stand. But to their surprise, the governor stressed that he would not participate in the exercise.
Although he lauded the initiative as a possible forum for Nigerians to talk, Elechi said he was sceptical about the conference as “it would not achieve anything since the constitution has empowered the National Assembly to make laws for the country.”
The governor noted that the dialogue cannot supersede the deliberations of the National Assembly and referred its advocates to revisit a similar event organised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005.
He also noted that at that colloquium, far-reaching decisions were taken but the National Assembly overrode it because of the third term ambition of Obasanjo.
However, Elechi said he would consult his constituents to deliberate on whether or not to participate in the conference, saying if they eventually choose to participate, he would distance himself and be an onlooker.
He said: “The national conference to me is a big joke, waste of time and a distraction to Goodluck Jonathan. I’m sceptical about it. It will not achieve anything. The constitution gives the National Assembly the power to make laws and the referendum cannot override the deliberations of the National Assembly.”
Source: Leadership
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