PRESS STATEMENT
Fri, February 9, 2024
Resurrectting 2014 National Conference Reports: BDFCG Calls for Genuine Constitutional Reforms
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) extends its commendation to the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum for convening a pivotal meeting on Monday, February 5, 2024, in Abuja. Chaired by esteemed national leaders, including Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, the gathering assembled distinguished figures such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Engr (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr Pogu Bitrus, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, and numerous other elder statesmen from across the country.
During the deliberations, the Forum emphasized the imperative for President Tinubu to take concrete steps towards constitutional reform. Specifically, the Forum advocated for the implementation of critical reports, notably the 2014 National Conference (CONFAB) organized by former President Goodluck Jonathan and the El Rufai Committee Report on True Federalism of 2018 commissioned by the APC government.
The BDFCG echoes the sentiments expressed at the meeting, affirming the urgent need for genuine constitutional amendments to address longstanding issues of federalism, autonomy, and equitable representation. Such reforms are crucial in fostering national unity, safeguarding minority rights, and promoting inclusive governance.
Acknowledging the historical context shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in the pivotal year of 2015, the BDFCG expresses concern about the deceptive sidelining of the crucial 2014 National Conference reports during that period. We highlight President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s association with the suppression of the National Conference Reports by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, of which Tinubu was the national chairman at the time.
Furthermore, we draw attention to President Tinubu’s past criticisms of Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, in 2016. Tinubu, as a prominent figure within the APC, took issue with Kachikwu’s realistic assessment of challenges in the oil sector. Today, we find President Tinubu grappling with the same issues he once criticized. His performance, both as Minister of Petroleum Resources and as the President of Nigeria, falls short, surpassing the shortcomings of his predecessors.
As proponents of democratic principles and the right to self-determination, the BDFCG stands in solidarity with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum in their call for meaningful reforms. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reflect on these historical events and prioritize genuine reforms, including the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Reports.
For the sake of over 250 million Nigerians suffering due to the insensitivity of the ruling APC, we implore President Tinubu to heed the lessons of the past and commit to a more transparent and inclusive political future.
Prosper Odinga
Spokesperson, BDFCG
Phone: +19173465419
Email: biafradefactogov@gmail.com
Website: www.bdfcg.org
