Advocates of sovereign confab are critics of 1914 amalgamation – Yahaya Mahmood

Senior Advocate of Nigeria in Kaduna State, Yahaya Mahmood, has said that those calling for a sovereign national conference are critics of the 1914 amalgamation.

Mahmood, in an interview yesterday said: “Those calling for a sovereign national conference are people who believe that the 1914 amalgamation was forced on us, and we should go our separate ways. They forget so many things including the civil war and so many conferences we have had. They forget that military men are also Nigerians”.
He added: “The president has inaugurated a 13-man panel to come up with details of the conference. What should be the name? How are those attending or participating going to be elected or selected? Will it be based on ethnic nationalities or local governments or constituencies? Remember that the president will receive the report, accept all or part of it and send it to the National Assembly. Now will the National Assembly suspend its constitutional amendment process until after the conference?”.
Mahmood, who said the conference will not likely bring about any desired change, noted that all Nigeria needs is good and selfless leaders and advisers. He said that Nigeria also needs a re-think on how to operate the 1999 constitution.
“Why do Nigerians spend billions of naira on medical and education of their children abroad? Can’t we fix our hospitals and schools? Must we still sell crude and import refined fuel? We can use the constitution better by being more national, patriotic and sincere,” he stated.