Frontline nationalist and leader of the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) Chief Emakpor Ajise has advised President Goodluck Jonathan and the Constitution Review Committee to adopt the Pro-National Conference (PRONACO) draft constitution to pave the way for true federalism.
The 80-years old politician also asked the President to handle the Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)governorship primaries with care, warning that it could lead to another crisis in the Niger Delta.
Ajise told reporters in Benin City, capital of Edo State, that a lot of challenges would confront the President next year, advising him to show courage and commitment to national ideals.
He said: “There was a PRONACO conference in Lagos in 2005 chaired by the late Chief Anthony Enahoro. A draft constitution which is a product of that conference drawn up by a committee headed by the late Prof. Jadesola Akande spelt out better ways to run the country. The document has been in circulation since 2007.
“The conference proved the point that the amalgamation of 1914 created a lot of problems. When the colonialists were here, they recognised the diversity of the different tribes and treated them as autonomous entities. The military regime distorted all that. The deliberations at the conference proved that Nigerians are not one people, but the people could live together in one country after a careful dialogue on the basis of unity in diversity”.
Ajise advised the President to subject the PRONACO draft to a referendum, stressing that it has reflected the peoples’ formula for peaceful co-existence.
Original post:
Adopt PRONACO draft, group tells Jonathan