Mixed Reactions As Jonathan Names Dialogue Committee

The President set the ball rolling yesterday for the convocation of “a national dialogue”.
The action drew wide reactions, with some hailing it as a step in the right direction and others condemning it as a suspicious and diversionary.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee, led by Dr. Femi Okurounmu, to prepare the blueprint for the conference within one month after which the government will determine how the talkshop will be conducted.
Okurounmu, an engineer, is a former university teacher and a senator between 1999 and 2003.
Dr. Akilu Indabawa is the secretary of the committee.
The other members of the committee, according to a statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim last night, are: Prof George Obiozor, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Sen. Khairat Gwadabe, Sen. Timothy Adudu, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), Prof. Funke Adebayo, Mrs Mairo Ahmed Amshi, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, Alh. Dauda Birma, Mallam Buhari Bello and Mr. Tony Uranta.
The panel, which is to be inaugurated by the President on Monday, is to:
•consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
•make recommendations to government on structure and modalities for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
•make recommendations to government on how representation of various interest groups at the national dialogue/conference will be determined;
•advise on a timeframe for the national dialogue/conference;
•advise government on a legal framework for the national dialogue/conference;
•advise government on legal procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the national dialogue/ conference into the constitution and laws of the nation; and to
•advise government on any other matters that may be related or incidental to the proposed national dialogue/conference.”
The President’s declaration came after a similar call by Senate President David Mark for a national conference. Mark spoke on the opening day of the new Senate’s session last month.
The plan for the national dialogue is the highlight of the 20 minutes broadcast by the President to mark the 53rd Independence Anniversary.
Giving reasons for the dialogue, Jonathan said: “Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognisance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.
“In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.”
He added: “I expect the report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.”
Dr. Jonathan said the role of democracy is crucial to improving the fortunes of “not just this country, but of our entire continent”. “Democratic values encourage diversity.
They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy, Jonathan said, adding: “Ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.”
In his view, Nigerians have reasons to celebrate. He said the occasion was not ripe for scoring political points, but to focus on the future as Nigerians are already divided economically, politically and ethnically.
Jonathan said his administration had built a robust a economy and that getting the remaining job done was a matter of time.