Posted by By FEMI BABAFEMI on
Leaders of ethnic nationalities movement, otherwise called PRONACO, at the weekend described on-going efforts to amend the 1999 constitution to extend the tenure of certain public officers in the country as a self-destructive move that will lead the nation into disintegration.
Leaders of ethnic nationalities movement, otherwise called PRONACO, at the weekend described on-going efforts to amend the 1999 constitution to extend the tenure of certain public officers in the country as a self-destructive move that will lead the nation into disintegration.
Besides, the group called for the immediate withdrawal of troops from the Niger Delta, while also demanding the release of all political detainees, including Dr Fredrick Fasehun, Gani Adams, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dokubo and Chief Ralph Nwazuruike.
"Congress views the on-going third-term driven constitutional review process as self-destructive, unpopular and a negation of the oath taken by elected officers to uphold the sanctity of the constitution at all times. It therefore calls on the National and State Assemblies to discontinue the crisis-inflicting process in the interest of peace and unity as its members shall resist it," PRONACO said in the communique released at the end of its conference in Enugu.
The conference which was attended by prominent leaders of the group such as Dim Chuwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Solomon Asemota and Chief Anthony Enahoro also frowned at the removal of ethnicity and religion from the census questionnaire.
"Nigeria, we know, is an amalgamation of ethnic nationalities and the removal therefore of vital statistical indices from the census process makes a mockery of the whole exercise and tantamount to a waste of resources on a project which will be eventually unacceptable to both Nigerians and the international community," the group stressed.
While welcoming the enthronement of the rule of law in Anambra State, the body said it hopes that the step was not taken as a vendetta rather than a genuine move to sustain democracy.
It restated its commitment to convene an independent sovereign national conference that will meet the yearnings of the Nigerian people.