ABAKALIKI – Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, a delegate to National Conference from Ebonyi State said on Sunday that the terror attacks in parts of the country was affecting the conference.
Ogbu told newsmen in Abakaliki that the attacks in Abuja in particular, had unsettled members and disrupted proceedings.
He said that some delegates had even advocated the suspension of the conference till the situation normalised but majority felt it would be to the credit of the terrorists.
“Many felt that the terrorists will presume that they have succeeded in disrupting governance in the country as it will be a great disservice to the country to suspend the conference.
“All the delegates are concerned about the development. The women in one occasion wore all black attire to the proceeding to show concern over the development,” Ogbu said.
He explained that the delegates were equally unhappy about the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno, and contemplated sending delegates to the Presidency and National Assembly over it.
The former deputy governor advised Nigerians to understand the real situation on ground before casting aspersions on the government for insensitivity.
“The people should understand that this is a guerilla warfare that is complex to deal with being an uncommon situation.
“Any use of direct force will result in heavy casualties even on the part of the girls thereby worsening the situation,” he said.
According to him, the root of the problem is not poverty or unemployment but the sponsorship of terrorism by some people to destabilise the polity.
On the single tenure of six years, Ogbu said the agitation for it for the president was not the solution to the nation’s political problems but the awareness of politicians that no one had a monopoly of power.
“The conference committee on political reforms is working to bring radical changes in the political sector to ensure equity and fairness.
“Rulers should know that they may not be the best for such positions but their ascendancy was just by chance and God’s design.
“They should be ready to serve the people sincerely and leave for other people to rule at the expiration of their office,” he said. (NAN)
