SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and to formally inaugurate this very important committee on ‘true federalism’. I wish to recall that reform of our political structure, which was described as ‘true federalism’ formed one of the core negotiating points by the Parties that merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is why the constitution of our great Party and its manifesto dwelled extensively on the promise of ‘true federalism’. It is therefore incongruous that our party will renege on our solemn commitment to the institutionalization of true federalism in our national political life.
Your Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, your job is both critical and very sensitive especially in the light of the renewed clamor for restructuring, devolution of power, fiscal federalism, resource control and all the other names that describe the various forms of reforms being suggested for the current political architecture of our beloved country.
The APC Constitution and the Manifesto that was vigorously canvassed during the general elections and on which platform our great Party got elected has elaborately stated our position on these issues. The Party position has been eloquently restated in the terms of reference of this committee which you all already have. It is your duty, especially having regard to the emotive nature of the national discourse on “restructuring”, to distill from our Party Constitution and Manifesto, vis-a-vis the various ideas canvassed in the different constitutional conference reports and the ongoing public debate, the aggregation of the views of our people for a consensus arrangement that is sustainable and conducive to the prosperity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.
In tackling your assignment please feel free to engage in deep and wide consultation such that your final report will engender credibility and broad acceptance.
I therefore implore you to find time in your very tight schedule to conclude your assignment expeditiously. I am deeply confident in the capability of this committee to generate a report which will be truly reflective of the desire of our people and a true reflection of what the Party stands for. Every member of this committee was carefully selected based on your track record of committed service and deep patriotism. We also took care to ensure strong women and youth representation to assure gender, generational and geographical balance.
May I therefore and wish you very fruitful and beneficial deliberations, knowing that your work could significantly influence the trajectory of our nation.
Thank you all.
John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun CON
National Chairman
