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A PRELUDE TO THE NATIONAL CONFAB

The complete list of all those attending the National Confab on constitution review has been finally released by the office of the President. As we all acknowledge, it is impossible for all Nigerian to attend and those attending must be well prepared to represent our Edo State interest to the fullest to this end I call on the Governor of Edo State Gov. Lucky Igbinedion to use his office to facilitate a plenary session for all Edos attending the National Confab so as to streamline their position before going to Abuja. This exercise should be carried out with the Blessing of His Royal Highness the Oba of Benin as the custodian of our culture and tradition.
The National Confab is starting in earnest so all hands must be on deck to make this prelude meeting a success. Money spent in hosting this meeting will be money well spent as the contributions from all representatives can be resource material in articulating Edo viewpoint in the future.
A critic may say these representatives were selected, some by the governor and the others by the Office of the President. That may be true; in spite of the glaring fact that they were not democratically elected, the three senatorial districts are well represented. Secondly, they are the recognized representatives of Edo State.
Our duty as citizens is to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the confab so that they represent our interests fully.

The list released by the government of Edo State includes the following:

Admiral Mike AkhigbeTom Ikimi
Eghobamien SAN
Dr Tunde Lakoju
Prof. Anao
Mr. Sam Iredia
Chief Abebe
The list from the office of the president of invited Edos representing other interests includes:-
Dr Sam. Ogbemudia
Chief Anthony Enahoro
Chief Mike Azekhomeh
Prof Christie Okogie
Chief Fidelis Oyakhilomhe

Those selected by the office of the president to represent other interests should remember that first and foremost they are Edo and as such should talk like an Edo citizen should do in such a gathering, that is protect the greater Edo interest. It is so apparent that they were Edo before becoming party chieftains or labor leaders, human rights activists,s or successful practitioners of their trade. To be able to articulate the Edo viewpoint or what some of my colleagues call the Edo Agenda at the confab, it is pertinent that all Edo attending the confab meet in Benin City as a matter of urgency facilitated by the Governor and the Oba of Benin. This meeting should be a plenary session, a prelude to the Abuja Confab during which these nominated delegates will come to agree on what we can describe as Edo viewpoints that will benefit all Edo people. Some individuals have been involved in the struggle for this conference for a long time under various guises; they too should be invited to give their opinions on pertinent issues and in doing so enrich our nominated delegates with more information to enable them to perform more creditably for the good of Edo State.

Individuals like Dr Asemota SAN, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, Chief Tony Momoh, Enogie Edun Akenzua, Dr Obayuwana, and those who have been in government and know the way the machinery of government works like Admiral Aikhomu and Chief Odigie –Oyegun
should all be invited to give their honest opinion on the agenda as released by the Office of the President of Nigeria.
Constitutional reform, Political party reform, Electoral reform, Judicial/Legal reform, Civil society reform, Constitution and consensus building, Police/Prison systems reform, Reform of the Structure of Governance.

It is true that what may be best for Nigeria may not be best for Edo State and the converse is also true that what may be best for Edo State may not be the best for Nigeria. In such issues, Edo delegates going to the Confab will be guided by the decision taken at the plenary session and so will act in consonance with the best interest of Edo State in a united
Nigeria. It will also be stressed that our representatives should distance themselves from those clamoring for secession and balkanization of our dear nation Nigeria. Instead, Edo should forge ways and means of forging the links between the geographically and politically opposed major ethnic groups in the country. The work of our delegates should be in addition to protecting Edo State interest, work to enhance Nigeria’s unity. The size of Nigeria presently in spite of all the woes in the country is a source of pride and a deterrent to our neighbors whereas a balkanized Nigeria will produce weakened original components parts. Edo Global Organization therefore calls on the governor of Edo State Gov. Nosakhare Igbinedion to facilitate this plenary session in Edo State before the Abuja conference.

Other States are embarking on such ventures and Edo State should not be left out. If successfully done, it may constitute a forum for resolving Edo State issues effectively in the future as it has full representation of all the senatorial districts although they may not have been democratically elected.
It will also create a forum for the Diaspora Edo to send their viewpoints rather than the present situation where memoranda have been sent to individuals. The time may be short but with the machinery of government as we know it, it is possible to slate a 10-hour prelude conference spread over two days with ample time for informal discussions. The decisions produced will be the bedrock for future Edo unity and development.
Finally, this is not the time to discuss the selection process. This is the time to make the best use of the opportunity as presented.
Thank you! Signed SEO OGBONMWAN KSC President EDO GLOBAL ORGANIZATION

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