A socio-political organisation, Movement for Nigeria’s Total Transformation, has urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to convoke a Sovereign National Conference when he assumes office.
In a document titled, ‘‘Congratulatory letter and honest advice to the President-elect on his victory and the enormity of challenges ahead,’’ the group’s chairman, Chief Areoye Oyebola, noted that the confab would address the myriad of problems plaguing the country.
Oyebola added, “In fact, one of the absurdities of Nigeria is that the present constitution was arranged and fashioned by the most brutal, corrupt and tyrannical military ruler in Nigerian history, the late General Sani Abacha, who even aspired to become a life President. This means that any constitutional amendment based on Abacha’s constitution, especially resulting from the recent National Conference, can never meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”
He also advised the President-elect not to implement the constitutional report inaugurated by the outgoing President, adding that ‘‘rather a Sovereign National Conference should be convoked with full participation of all nationalities and with its decision and recommendations subject to a referendum. That will result in the people’s constitution which recognises that sovereignty, the ultimate power in Nigeria, belongs to the people.’’
Also, while lauding Buhari’s resilience in vying for the presidency four times before he won at the fourth attempt, Oyebola urged him to slash the salaries of political office holders by 70 per cent.
He described as outrageous and sickening salaries and allowances which political office holders earn in the country.
‘‘These emoluments which have made us a laughing stock in the world have led to Nigeria spending between 75 per cent and 80 per cent on recurrent expenditure while 25 per cent is left to capital expenditure which even grudgingly and half-heartedly executed, resulting in abandoned projects. For you to succeed in your Herculean task, salaries and allowances of the President, National Assembly members, governors, ministers and other political office holders should be reduced by 60 per cent to 70 per cent,” he stated.
The group added that the President-elect would need the support of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders such as the party’s spokesperson, Mr. Lai Muhammed, Speaker, House of Representatives and Sokoto State Governor-elect, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal and the governors of Rivers, Lagos and Imo, Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola and Rochas Okorocha respectively in his mission to restructure the country.
‘‘You will also need the total mobilisation of patriotic Nigerian elite for the unprecedented crusade you should embark upon. They include Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association, human rights groups among others,’’ the group stressed.
It however noted that experts should be allowed to handle the mobilisation.
Oyebola further advised the President-elect to tackle corruption and do all it could to take the country out of its current economic quagmire.
According to him, with innovative leadership, the country can achieve unprecedented progress economically.
He also advised Buhari to give himself a target to end fuel shortage, fuel importation, moribund refineries and crude oil theft.
He said, ‘‘With your uncompromising integrity and exemplary courage, we hope you will destroy the hydra-headed monster known as corruption in Nigeria. Despite all pretences to the contrary, occasional arrests and inconclusive prosecution of those involved in massive corrupt enrichment, no highly placed Nigerian has been made to serve as a scapegoat through life imprisonment and publicised forfeiture of stolen houses, lands and funds as a deterrent to other future treasury looters.’’
Oyebola, who said the group would be ready to offer support free of charge if called to do so, said it was formed in 1993 with members drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country.
