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kshoid@yahoo.com Dallas, TX, USA

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SEARCHLIGHT ON OBASANJO'S CONFERENCE

he inauguration of the National conference by President of Nigeria Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo few days ago in which the expected no go areas were highlighted for the delegates meaning the delegates cannot honestly deliberate on issues that may be dear to their minds. But must work within Obasanjo's mind and ideas. No go areas are not democratic, even the selection of the delegates was not done democratically; one can pierce into what the likely outcome of the conference will be.

The association of tired and retired people to fashion out a projection of what Nigeria will look like in future to this writer is not a motivating factor for the development of Nigeria in the 21st century or centuries ahead. The group contained men and fewer women with no clear cut ambition for economic and political goal of a country yarning for a turn around in socio economic power play in a multi-cultural set up in an entity called Nigeria within Africa and world events.

At the time United States of America sat down to write the constitution they were all men within 45 years in age bracket. Of course they wrote a progressive constitution and I believe two or three of the delegates to the constitution actually became Presidents to fully give the constitution the backing and support which became the master piece on which American freedom and progress rested upon till today. Nigeria situation are men within 60 years average. Some even introduced themselves as elder statesmen.

With the background of the unsuccessful past constitution review panels, human rights panels, from 1975 to date and continue tampering with the outcome by various governments, one is tempted to say the result will never see the light of the day and partial implementations will be done as long as the status quo is not affected meaning cosmetic adjustment to what will continue to place the same set of recycled leaders on Nigeria. It is Obasanjo today; probably Babangida tomorrow while those thinking the retired military generals will step aside will be living in fool's paradise.

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A conference without legal backing is nothing but administrative panel of enquiry in which the result or outcome may not even qualify it to be in the records of National Archives. The delegates knew this and Obasanjo knew better. The National Assembly, which had ironically rejected the fund for the conference, also came to the inauguration. What a way to witness the potential failure of a project they never supported.

Again this is Obasanjo's way of keeping Nigerians busy while he continues to go about on his daily routine job. Congrats General. The master of the game. The godfather to retired military generals. The searchlight is on this presidency in this regards.

National Assembly never released the money or approve the program after the first push for fund by the presidency and the refusal of the presidency to represent the issue or lobby members to see the rationale behind the conference to this writer was a plan that was not conceived with good intention but to ridicule and undermine the Enahoro group on the same conference.

The President's speech at the inauguration, which was laced with attacks on the critics and focused more on the need to build, rather than to destroy was very apologetic, the speech itself was meant to destroy the credibility of the critics. Can anything good be placed on already bad foundations? The foundation of Nigeria is presently rotten and it is on shaky ground but the issue is this. Can the president's 391 wise men fix it? Taking into cognizance these set of opportunity seeking, un-elected members that own their seats and allegiance in the conference to the President perform any miracle? In the language of one of the critics of the conference "Obasanjo will nominate 50 bribe 150, and coarse 100 and the end result will be Obasanjo's constitution with interest of the retired military generals fully protected".

In conclusion, President Bill Clinton of United States America during the infamous impeachment exercise was asked if he could forgive or respect his adversaries he said " Our Critics are our best friends because they bring out the best in us and made us to set higher standard". Those criticizing the conference are not the enemies of the President of Nigeria or the Nigeria entity but the question is if President Aremu okikiola Olusegun Obasanjo is ready to set a higher standard to justify his good intentions? The no go areas did not demonstrated good intention and it has not equally demonstrated the fact that it was set to keep some people busy and take the light and focus from Enahoro group. The end result will be like Oputa Panel.