Nigeria Doesn’t Need Another Confab — Ozekhome SAN

Renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome
has faulted the call by the 17 southern governors for a
constitutional conference to resolve nagging issues about Nigeria,
arguing that another constitutional conference was unnecessary.

Delivering the keynote address at the 25th Law Week of the Awka
branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday Ozekhome
observed that the recommendations of the 2014 conference, which had
not been implemented, were enough to solve the country’s
problems.

He said: “I was at the 2014 national conference headed by the
late Justice Idris Kutigi, and the over 200 recommendations we made
at that conference were yet to be touched.

“The conference consisted of 492 Nigerians drawn from all strata
has never been touched by this government, even with a 10-foot
pole.

“So, when I heard the 17 southern governors talking about
another conference, I know they mean well for the country, but we
do not need another dialogue.

“Let them go to the 2014 recommendations and they will see that
we recommended state police, we recommended part-time legislature.
The Constitution made the sitting of members of the national
assembly six months, but they are receiving fat salaries.

“What are we doing with 306 House of Representatives members?
What are we doing with 109 senators, what are we doing with
them?

“Why not make it a unicameral legislature or part-time, so that
those who are genuinely interested can come and serve the nation,
sit and go. We can’t grow like this”.

The chairman of the Awka branch of NBA, Mr. Ekene Okonkwo said
the branch chose the theme; ‘Legal profession in a lawless society
because of the current state of the country.

“The theme is occasioned by the lawlessness in the society and
the killing of security operatives, which has assumed an unenviable
and frightening dimension.

“We all know of the unfortunate happening in Nigeria and no one
can boldly beat his chest and say he is a Nigerian, any longer.

“Through this event, we are proffering suggestions to the
solution of the current state of Nigeria,” he said.

Renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome
has faulted the call by the 17 southern governors for a
constitutional conference to resolve nagging issues about Nigeria,
arguing that another constitutional conference was unnecessary.

Delivering the keynote address at the 25th Law Week of the Awka
branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday Ozekhome
observed that the recommendations of the 2014 conference, which had
not been implemented, were enough to solve the country’s
problems.

He said: “I was at the 2014 national conference headed by the
late Justice Idris Kutigi, and the over 200 recommendations we made
at that conference were yet to be touched.

“The conference consisted of 492 Nigerians drawn from all strata
has never been touched by this government, even with a 10-foot
pole.

“So, when I heard the 17 southern governors talking about
another conference, I know they mean well for the country, but we
do not need another dialogue.

“Let them go to the 2014 recommendations and they will see that
we recommended state police, we recommended part-time legislature.
The Constitution made the sitting of members of the national
assembly six months, but they are receiving fat salaries.

“What are we doing with 306 House of Representatives members?
What are we doing with 109 senators, what are we doing with
them?

“Why not make it a unicameral legislature or part-time, so that
those who are genuinely interested can come and serve the nation,
sit and go. We can’t grow like this”.

The chairman of the Awka branch of NBA, Mr. Ekene Okonkwo said
the branch chose the theme; ‘Legal profession in a lawless society
because of the current state of the country.

“The theme is occasioned by the lawlessness in the society and
the killing of security operatives, which has assumed an unenviable
and frightening dimension.

“We all know of the unfortunate happening in Nigeria and no one
can boldly beat his chest and say he is a Nigerian, any longer.

“Through this event, we are proffering suggestions to the
solution of the current state of Nigeria,” he said.