Fearing poor representation in the forthcoming national conference slated for next month, the coalition of northern minority groups under the aegis of Conference of Autonomous Minority Ethnic Nationalities of the North-west zone have advocated for better representation.
This was the decision of a meeting attended by representatives of minority ethnic nationalities from Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa and Zamfara states, aimed at creating modality for being allowed adequate delegates before the conference started, saying the number of slots allotted the zone could not be referred to as true representation of the country.
Representative of Southern Kaduna People’s Union and chief host, Dr Ephraim Goje, said the meeting became necessary in order to correct the wrong in the representation to the national conference, adding that since the conference has not commenced, it is important to make amends beforehand.
He said: “All the ethnic nationalities in the north west zone wish to place on record our utmost disappointment with the federal government over the skewed allocation of delegates to the national conference which has clearly marginalised our people.
“We find this lopsided arrangement as a calculated plot to silence us the more and call for immediate reconsideration of the present facade to accommodate more ethnic nationalities to create a semblance of a level playing field for more Nigerians to participate in the confab.”
Former Minister of State for Aviation, Hassan Hyet, said the gathering was timely, adding that “it is better late than never since the conference has not yet started.”
“It was the interest groups that said they want national conference but the government hijacked it and has gone ahead to select those who will attend it without putting proper measures in place,” he said.