Stories by Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Delegates to the ongoing National Conference have disagreed on the status of indigenes and settlers in the country.
This came on the heels of a debate by delegates deliberating on the report of the Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters, chaired by Emir of Yauri and delegate representing National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Alhaji Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi.
The Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi had called on the chairman to read the committee’s resolution at the plenary for discussion.
Abdullahi told the conferees that the committee worked in harmony which made it possible for them to come to a harmonious conclusion. He also stressed the need for the country to get the correct census figure and for all the agencies saddled with the responsibilities of data management to be equipped with modern facilities to achieve their set objectives.
Hardly had he finished that a delegate representing the North-East geo-political zone, Barrister Chris Abongaby proposed that everyone should qualify to be indigene of any place if he has stayed for a period of time and contributed to the well being of the people and the settlement.
Supporting Abongaby is a delegate representing Ebonyi state and former deputy governor of the state, Professor Chigozie Ogbu, who faulted the committee’s recommendation that chapter 2 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which deals with Fundamental Objectives and Directives of State Policy (FODP) should be made justiciable, saying, it will cause a lot of confusion which will not augur well for the nation.
The former Ebonyi Deputy Governor said we should rather allow the fundamental human rights to be justiciable instead of the the fundamental objectives which is a social right.
Delegate representing the South-east and Chairman Enugu state traditional rulers, Igwe Ambassador, Lawrence Agubuzu, suggested that every citizen who resides anywhere in Nigeria should do that provided that the person fulfils his civic obligations.
A Lagos lawyer and delegate representing Civil Society Group, Chief Femi Falana speaking on the debate stressed the need for the conference and delegates to work according to the provisions of the law. “We should be guided by the constitution or treaties which give individual right to movement and liberty” he said.
Insisting that the conference has the duty to discuss any issue that is brought before it or of urgent national importance, a delegate representing the South South geo-political zone, Honourable Orok Otu Duke told the members that they were there to right the wrongs of the constitution or charters wherever they have defects or even change it if need be.
“we are here to right the wrongs of the constitution or charters or even change the constitution. We are here in order to consider these issues” he said.
The former governor of Kebbi State and a delegate representing the North-West geo-political zone, Senator Adamu Aliero informed the members on the need to desist from discussing the issue further, saying the committee has recommended and it is left for the conference to adopt. “The essence of going into committee stage is to settle things on consensus”.
Adamu’s position was greeted by shouts of loud “no” by most delegates who did not agree on his postulation.
