The final report of the National Conference will be formally presented to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja next Thursday. This came as delegates unanimously adopted the contentious draft constitution 2014, which was later renamed: “Proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution”.
The document had been the subject of intense power-play and discord between Northern and Southern delegates. However, following a meeting with leaders of the various zones on Wednesday night by the conference leadership led by Justice Idris Kutigi (retd), the northern delegates soft-pedalled on their opposition to the draft.
Thursday’s plenary session, which was the last, came to a peaceful close following a motion which was moved by the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa and seconded by Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) for the winding up of the conference.
It would be recalled that the conference was inaugurated by President Jonathan on March 17 and had an initial duration of three months but was graciously extended.
Earlier, the motion for the adoption of the three amended volumes of the report was moved by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), who described the assignment as memorable and humbling.
Chairman of the conference, Justice Kutigi, who was also elated, described the adoption of the reports and rounding off of the plenary as “a dream come true”.
He said that the formal report will be presented to the President next Thursday. He thanked leaders of various zones for brokering agreement that led to the unanimous adoption of the reports which had split the conference in the last three days.
The adoption of the final report was an anti-climax to the earlier prediction by some analysts that the conference would end up a failure.
