National Conference delegates from the north under the aegis of Northern Delegates Forum have dismissed threats of walking out or boycotting the on-going conference.
It also emerged yesterday that delegates will vote on the rules for proceedings at the Conference when they resume for plenary on Monday.
A traditional ruler from the region, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha had earlier in the week caused a stir when he threatened to walk out of the conference because of the conduct of some of the delegates.
However the spokesman of the Northern Delegates Forum, Ambassador Mamman Yusuf in an interview with THISDAY in Kaduna yesterday said despite the threats, the northern delegates had resolved to fully participate in the conference.
He said the forum which is being co-chaired by the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie and the Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum (MDF), Prof. Jerry Gana had never contemplated boycotting or walking out of the conference.
According to him, the NDF has explicit confidence in its capacity to manage any fall out consequent on any disagreement at the conference.
He said: “At no time was the idea of a walk out or boycott ever contemplated. But you cannot deny the delegates their right to express whatever opinion they want to express.
"The northern delegates forum has resolved that it will fully participate in the conference, build a consensus within an agenda and abide by the general framework and the rules of the conference
"We have anchored our position on the need for extensive consultation and use the President's speech as the road map in our deliberations. Where disagreement arises, we will work hard to see that it is resolved in the wider national interest."
The Lamido of Adamawa said he was disappointed by the unwholesome attitude of some delegates which according to him, could lead to the break-up of the country.
The traditional ruler in expressing his anger shocked delegates at the Conference when he threatened to walk out or boycott the conference, declaring that his kingdom transcends the territorial boundaries of Nigeria and that his people have a place to relocate to if Nigeria disintegrates.
The traditional ruler warned the delegates that they risked the disintegration of the country by their behaviour.
Meanwhile, the plenary session of the conference will resume on Monday with delegates voting on the rules for proceedings that would be adopted for deliberation at the conference.
A statement issued yesterday by the conference Assistant Secretary (Media and Communications) Mr. Akpanden James said the delegates will reconvene on a rather sad note with the death of a delegate who was a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Barrister Hamma Misau on Thursday.
The statement said delegates would get a report of the outcome of the consultative meeting between the Principal Officers of the Conference and selected delegates.
It would be recalled that the Conference Chairman, based on a collective decision of the delegates, had last Wednesday appointed 50 representatives of the 492 delegates for crucial meeting on how to resolve the question of voting pattern.
Sitting was adjourned on Wednesday afternoon till Monday to give the selected delegates sufficient time to discuss and agree on the issue which had earlier attracted heated debate among delegates.
Continuation of the adoption of the National Conference Rules of Procedure earlier suspended last week also forms part of the issues slated for Monday when the Conference resumes.
Although debates on the standing orders had almost been completed last week, delegates had insisted on sighting the clean copy of the rules before formally adopting it for the regulation of the affairs of the Conference.
The Conference will also, beginning from Monday, discuss and adopt its work plan, proposed committee structure and group classification. As a part of this, delegates will be expected to identify committees they want to serve.
The Conference will call for submission of papers on thematic issues highlighted under the various committees to be announced.
The papers are to be submitted before close of business on Thursday April 3, 2014; or earlier.
Conference delegates are also expected to commence debate on the speech presented by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he formally inaugurated the Conference at the National Judicial Institute.
In the statement, the Conference Chairman, retired Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, expressed shock and disbelief over the news of the death of Misau and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Before his demise, Misau was a delegate appointed by the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON).
Justice Kutigi, while sympathizing with the family and the entire nation, however, said it was gratifying to note that the former AIG died in the service of his country, though at a time his experience was most needed.
Source: Thisday
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