87% Of Nigerians Embrace National Conference

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A public opinion poll conducted by an independent firm, NOIPolls Limited, has indicated that 87 percent of Nigerians affirmed their support for convening of the proposed national conference.

The poll, however, revealed 79 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that the outcome of the national conference should be subjected to a referendum.

The National Conference Snap Poll conducted by NOIPolls on February 10, 2014, and released this week, revealed that 27 per cent are of the opinion that the national conference would bring progress and development to Nigeria; while 21 per cent believed it would bring unity, as well as peace to the country.

According to poll, “almost nine in 10 Nigerians, 87 per cent, have affirmed their support for the constitution of a national conference.

“On the other hand, for those against the proposed national conference, 13 per cent in all, 35 per cent believe the conference “is a waste of time and money,” and 25 per cent said it would be ineffective.

“The poll also revealed that 79 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that the outcome of the national conference should be subjected to a referendum.”

The NOIPolls explained: “Over the years, various advocacy and rights groups have been clamouring for the constitution of a national conference. Interestingly, the core essence of the advocacy for a national conference was best captured by the words of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

“The root cause of our national tragedies is the fundamental defects that have always afflicted the process of determining every constitutional framework of the polity. Our constitutional arrangements since 1914 to date (2000) have never truly reflected the political, economic, social, cultural and religious realities of the country.

“In line with this in January 2014, the Federal Government on unveiled the modalities of the National Confab, disclosing that a total of 492 delegates will partake in the dialogue which would be named National Conference.

“The aim of the National Conference is to address these fundamental defects and find solutions to all the problems that afflict the polity.”