From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Former Aviation Minister, Felix Hassan Hyet has faulted the timing and composition of the National Conference, saying, that the outcome of the National Confab will not make any difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He stated this in a press briefing in Kaduna yesterday.
The former minister also observed that lack of proper representation, low quality of debate, misplaced ideas as well as dissenting interests by members are some of the reasons the confab will not produce any meaningful outcome.
Hyet expressed dismay with the manner the delegates were selected, pointing out that the Confab is destined to fail as it will not provide a solution to the plethora of problems bedeviling the country.
According to him, “It is regrettable that the delegates are selected by government and it obvious that they are going to discuss issues along the guidelines given by the government that picked them and not the people.
While explaining the need to go back to the submissions and recommendations made at previous conferences, he maintained that,” We kept making mistakes ; I expected the president to go back to previous reports and recommendations from all the conferences and see how issues raised could be thrashed out.
“To me, the delegates at the Confab are not representing the people, because such individuals were either nominated by their communities or selected, so they can’t speak on their behalf,” he said.
He also explained that the kind of disagreement amongst members is a clear evidence that selfish interest, ethnic sentiments and other primordial sentiments will continue to ravage the good intention of President Jonathan to convene the confab.
The former Minister pointed out that the sentiments expressed by members will make it difficult to produce a document that will reflect the thinking of Nigerians because of the various opposing groups building up at the confab.
On Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Mustapha Barkindo’s threat to move to Cameroun, Hyet said no Nigerian should take such people serious.
“I don’t see any reason anyone should worry over such a statement made by Lamido of Adamawa. He can go to Cameroun but certainly not with Adamawa people”, Hyet added.
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