The South East Peoples Assembly (SEPA) Friday applauded the modalities for the conduct of the proposed National Conference.
Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, SEPA national secretary in a statement, said the body noted that the conference will mark the beginning of the last stage of our march towards a True Federalism; the only sure basis on which Nigeria can remain united.
However, SEPA noted that the conference has once again exposed the level of marginalisation of the zone, as it would be coming with the least number of delegates.
Also, it noted that the zone would be coming with only five elder Statesmen to be nominated by the President against six to seven persons from the other zones.
Said SEPA: “We thank the President, Commander-in-Chief for this uncommon political will and determination to convoke a National Conference despite many distractions, booboo traps and land mines laid against him to ensure that the proposed National Conference never see the light of the day.
“We believe that the unity in diversity can only be a source of great strength if it is based on Justice, Equity and Fairness.
“We therefore urge Ndigbo to be prepared as always to actively participate in the soon to be convoked National Conference.
“We however note like always, that the South East will again be coming to this conference with fewer number of delegates because of its fewer number of States.
“For instance, we noted that where other zones will be coming with between 18-21 nominees of the Governors, South East shall be coming with 15 delegates.
“Also South East will be coming with only five elder Statesmen to be nominated by the President against 6-7 persons from the other zones. This is inequitable, unfair and unjust.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to take notice of the fact that the use of State in those areas as bases for nomination has gross disadvantage on the people of South East and as such should try to remedy this disadvantage through other nominations to ensure that South East is not disadvantaged at the National Conference”.
SEPA therefore opposed the recommended use of 75 per cent majority for arriving at any decision at the conference.
“75 per cent or 3/4 is well above conventional 2/3 (66.67 per cent) required for passage of any contentious issue and which is indeed an International best practice.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to direct that 2/3 majority be used or on the alternative, allow the Conference to set its own rules and regulate itself,” SEPA stressed.
