National Conference Delegates Root for Use of Consultation to Resolve Disagreement

Some delegates at the ongoing National Conference have suggested consultation as the best way to resolve the disagreement on the voting mode to be adopted at the Conference.

The delegates told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday after an abrupt adjournment of plenary over disagreement on whether two-third or three-quarter majority should be adopted.

One of the delegates, representing Accord Party, Mr Muhammed Nalado, said the adjournment would allow for consultation and dialogue among delegates for easy conclusion.

Nalado said that the 75 per cent voting mode should be adopted on issues that affect the country as stated by President Goodluck Jonathan in his inaugural speech.

“Mr President’s speech has emphasised on consensus and the figure near to consensus is 75 per cent.

“What we want is general acceptance which is at least 75 per cent on burning issues that will show more acceptances, rather than two-third.

“Let us have one Nigeria and we can attain that through consensus or 75 per cent vote,’’ Nalado said.

Another delegate, representing Ogun, Mr Fola Adeola, suggested that group leaders should consult with delegates from their geo-political zones.

 “It is difficult for 492 people to negotiate and the longer we speak, the more emotional the issue becomes.

“Everybody comes from a group, if we get the group leadership to consult with their members, it will be easier to reach a consensus,’’ Adeola said.

An elder statesman, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi, appealed to delegates to talk more about Nigeria and the need to keep Nigeria as one.

“Sincerity should be used and I think it is right; lobbying and consultation should be done.

“You don’t come here with a pre-conceived idea or trying to outsmart somebody. That is not the way we are talking about Nigeria here,’’ Abdullahi said.

A delegate from Cross River, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, stressed the need for consultation and dialogue to be employed by delegates.

Ita-Giwa said: “I am a nationalist, when I have the opportunity to move motion for mode of voting, I deliberately favoured the voice vote.

“At this stage, before tempers start rising, I deliberately said for now, we can use voice vote. This is because there are many issues and it is too early to have a division in the house.’’

Ita-Giwa said that delegates could not pass the drafted rules without indicating what method should be adopted to vote, saying “the basic method for now is the voice vote’’.

Mr Frank Nweke Jr., representing Nigerian Economic Summit Group, also called for consistency in provision for the deliberation of any matter at the Conference.

“It is important in my view that such decision should be consensual in nature,’’ Nweke said.

Nweke said it was unfortunate that there appear to be a lot of mistrust in the room as some of the delegates came with pre-conceived positions and ideas.

“They are already thinking ahead, suggesting that if certain things were adopted, it will be difficult for them to achieve or stop whatever it is here.

“I do hope that the Chairman or Conference officers will be able to guide us to an agreeable resolution of the issues in contention in the coming day,’’ Nweke said.

He said that the delegates must confront their problems and not to shy away from them.

Nweke said that the provisions were very clear, “if there is no consensus, then we must go to vote’’.