CONSTITUTION REVIEW: OPC President urges Legislature to reconsider Sovereign National Conference

The leader and founder of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun has called on the National Assembly to put into consideration the call by Nigerians for Sovereign National Conference (SNC) in the review of the constitution.

According to Fasehun, "we shall continue to demand for the convening of the Sovereign National Conference, SNC. This current Constitution is a handout from the Military; therefore no amount of tinkering and panel-beating can reform it into a people's document".

Fasehun in a statement made available to Thisday yesterday insisted that the National Assembly's ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution amounts to a brazen display of impunity.

He said "in view of Nigerians complaining that the presidential system is too expensive and should be jettisoned for the uni-cameral Parliamentary system?

Only the people can determine such and they will do so only in the atmosphere of a Sovereign National Conference."

However, on the dialogue with Boko Haram sect, Fasehun said OPC proposed that Boko Haram should expunge General Muhammadu Buhari from its list of delegates, except he confirms his bonafide membership of the group.

He said "Boko Haram has remained faceless; government must insist on not discussing with a faceless group, until the leaders are unveiled and known.

Much of Boko Haram's hostility has been turned against Christians; therefore, Christians, through the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), must be represented at the talks."

He added "negotiations should be opened up to accommodate other ethnic interests in the conflict, including: Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Middle-Belt Forum, Egbesu, MEND and other nationality groups, whose indigenes have been wantonly slaughtered by Boko Haram."