National Outlook: Oborevwori and Okunnu Hold Opposing Views on Proposed National Conference

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and elder statesman Femi Okunnu presented contrasting views on the necessity of a national conference to tackle Nigeria's challenges during an event at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos on Tuesday.

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The occasion marked the club's 100th anniversary, with Governor Oborevwori delivering the anniversary lecture, accompanied by local government chairmen, lawmakers, commissioners, and aides from Delta State.

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Oborevwori's lecture, themed "Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a United Nigeria," advocated for the establishment of a periodic, law-backed national conference to foster inclusive governance and national cohesion.

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He emphasized that national dialogue should be a structured and recurring aspect of governance, rather than an ad hoc response to crises, and proposed that the conference bring together federal and state actors, traditional rulers, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders.

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The governor envisioned the conference resulting in measurable outcomes, including assessing inclusivity in governance, auditing regional development, and building trust, with the aim of holding the conference every 10 years with clearly defined thematic focus areas.

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Oborevwori suggested that an independent secretariat would monitor implementation, and legislative backing would ensure that resolutions translate into policy actions, highlighting that past conferences failed due to the lack of legal backing.

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Femi Okunnu, a former Minister of Works and member of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee, rejected the proposal, arguing that Nigeria's challenge lies in governance, not the absence of conferences or constitutional reforms.

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Okunnu described the idea of periodic national conferences as unnecessary and a misuse of resources, citing examples of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, which have thrived on established constitutional frameworks and conventions.

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He maintained that Nigeria already has a workable constitution and that effective leadership and good governance are what is required, rather than repeated national dialogues.

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In response, Oborevwori clarified that his proposal was not about drafting a new constitution, but rather about creating a legally backed platform for Nigerians to discuss national issues and solutions periodically.

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the Yoruba Tennis Club for organizing the event and praised Oborevwori for delivering an incisive lecture.