Presidency Finally Speaks on Agitation To Convene National Conference, Reveals Step to Take
- The presidency has advised those calling for a new constitution to take their demands to the National Assembly
- Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said calling for a national conference is not the right way to go about it
- Shehu said no one can pressure President Buhari into convening a national conference
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The presidency on Tuesday, April 20, reacted to the agitation for a national conference by some regional groups in the country.
The senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said no one would bully President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a gathering of ethnic groups in the country.
Nigerian Tribune reports that Shehu made this known while speaking at a forum of the All Progressives Congress Professionals Forum held at the party's national secretariat.
Those at the forefront of the agitation for the national conference are the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, its counterpart in the southeast, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Middle Belt Forum.
However, the presidential spokesman said the Nigerian constitution does not recognise two parliaments, implying that the national conference may serve as a parallel parliament if convened.
The way forward
Shehu said those calling for a new constitution should approach the National Assembly instead of calling for the national conference
He advised them to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the Constitution Review Committee set up by the National Assembly, The Nation also reported.
According to Shehu, it is only the National Assembly that is statutorily vested with the powers to amend the constitution.
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the presidency reacted to secession agitations in the country, saying nobody can bring down the government of President Buhari.
Shehu stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, March 26.
The presidential spokesman described the secession agitators as “charlatans” sponsored to bully the president thinking he will cower or panic. He added that the Buhari government will not be kicked out of power by any group through blackmail.
Source: Legit.ng
