The Patriots plans national front over conference

TO facilitate the process of convening a national conference, The Patriots has disclosed a plan to actively engage in efforts that would lead to the formation of a national front, which would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly and submit a memorandum on the national conference to them.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of The Patriots, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, said that certain persons who command reverence and credibility as “Fathers of the Nation” have been approached to join hands to appeal to President Jonathan and the leaders of the National Assembly to accede to the demands for a national conference.

Nwabueze said it was imperative to draw the attention of the people of the country to Nigeria’s accelerating descent towards a failed state. He therefore urged the president to adopt a revolutionary style of governance to resolve the enormous problems confronting the country.

According to him, a national conference is the only means towards the attainment of the objectives of good governance. He said: “The public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution that was organised by the National Assembly was merely a jamboree. It will not lead the country anywhere.

“The best option out of the present crisis is to create an opportunity for all ethnic nationalities in the country to have a round table talk in a conference.”

The national front, the body said, would comprise relevant associations like Project Nigeria, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum and the Middle Belt Forum. Others are Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the Niger Delta, South-South Peoples Assembly and other civil society organisations.