LAGOS APRIL 22ND (URHOBOTODAY)-Niger Delta youth say National Conference shows an agenda for the actualization of the 2015 re-election plan of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Some youth from the Niger Delta region under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, on Sunday described the National Conference as self-serving and incapable of meeting the expectations of Nigerians.
The youth, in a statement issued in Bayelsa State by its National Coordinator, Israel Uwejeyan, said the conference is being held to serve the personal desire of President Goodluck Jonathan.
They also faulted the composition and performance of delegates, saying the conduct of the delegates will not resolve any contending issues for national development.
NDYC said that though the nation is in need of a true dialogue among the various ethnic nationalities and religions, the timing, composition, guidelines/framework of the on-going National Conference
is wrong.
Mr. Uwejeyan said rather than forcing the National Conference down the throat of the people for some selfish reasons, Nigerians should be allowed to enjoy good governance, better infrastructure, economic growth, employment creation, security of lives and property and adequate power supply.
“Why should President Jonathan, who claims that he means well for Nigeria and Nigerians, propose that the outcome of the National Conference should not be subjected to a referendum?
“Is it not a shame to see delegates at the confab make utterances that are demeaning of their status as elder statesmen and women? Nigerians have indeed watched with keen interest to understand the substance of the National Conference and its impact in changing the economic woes, hunger pervading the land, unemployment, insecurity, endemic corruption, extra judicial killings, epileptic power supply and other myriads of problems that confronts us daily,” the group stated.
The group noted that a review of the policy frame work and guidelines of the National Conference showed an agenda for the actualization of the 2015 re-election plan of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It does not represent the general interest of Nigerians. The Conference is meant to serve some political interests as well as ample opportunity to continue with the impunity of alleged reckless stealing from the nations’ treasury.
“A country where the so called elder statesmen decide to make utterances that demean and make nonsense the much talked about National Conference, therefore the future of Nigerian youths is indeed hanging in the balance.
“It is obvious that our future as young people of this great country cannot be anchored on the shoulders of these individuals believed to be addressing issues that affect us, it is already an effort in futility,” the group stated.