Nma Shekwolo – Minna
Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, and chief governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has thrown his weight behind holding a national dialogue, suggesting the constitution of a 910-man conference committee with a larger chunk of the delegates elected from the grassroots.
Aliyu made the suggestion when members of the presidential advisory committee on the national conference led by its chairman, Femi Okunrounmu, paid him a courtesy call in Minna,the Niger state capital.
“I suggest that 774 delegates should be elected from the local government areas in the country, 100 delegates from special interest groups and 36 from traditional rulers representing the traditional institutions in the 36 states in Nigeria,” he said.
Aliyu backed the position of President Goodluck Jonathan that the final decisions of the national dialogue should be sent to the National Assembly for further ratification.
“As long as the National Assembly is on the ground, the decision reached by delegates at the national conference must be taken into the National Assembly for framing into the constitution,” Aliyu said.
Okunrounmu had earlier said that his team was in the state to consult and have the input of the governor on the national conference.
He assured that the committee would ensure the views of all Nigerians are accommodated.