National Conference yesterday came to a convivial end as the 492 delegates unanimously adopted all the reports of the Confab, including the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
The much-anticipated stormy session over the draft constitution was averted by the diplomatic strategy employed by the chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, who had several meetings on Wednesday with the zonal leaders.
Controversy had trai...led the draft constitution since last month as some of the delegates from the North alleged that it was a ploy to extend the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan and the 36 state governors.
Northern delegates who had insisted that the leadership of the conference should withdraw the contentious ‘draft constitution’ also towed the line of the other delegates to adopt the recommendations of the conference.
Their insistence on the withdrawal of the draft document stalled debate at the conference on Monday.
At the resumed plenary yesterday, the delegates agreed by voice vote to effect minor amendment to the third volume of the Confab report by replacing the word “draft constitution” to read “Resolutions of the Conference as Draft Amendments to 1999 Constitution.”
The amendment to the third volume was moved by Maina Waziri.
After the amendment was agreed upon, Second Republic Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, moved the motion for the adoption of the Confab report. The motion was seconded by Yadomah Mandara.
The conference report is made up of the recommendations of 20 committees that handled several thematic areas.
The conference, which began on March 17, 2014, will be formally declared closed by President Jonathan on Thursday, August 21, 2014
Source: Nigerian Pilot
