COMMUNIQUE – Saturday, November 24, 2012.

COMMUNIQUE

 

Review Meeting of Yoruba National Assembly’s Position by

Eminent Yoruba Leaders.

Saturday, November 24, 2012.

 

1. As a follow-up to the Yoruba National Assembly’s Conference and position in the Ibadan gathering of Thursday, August 30, 2012, Eminent Yoruba Leaders met on Saturday, November 24, 2012 under the Guidance of
   Dr. Tunji Braithwaite to further review and react to the position of the Yoruba National Assembly on the present Constitution Amendment process initiated by the National Assembly (NA).

1. Today’s Meeting affirm support and acceptance of the call for a National Constitutional Conference as a fundamental demand of the Yoruba people, after receiving full briefing from Gen. Alani Akinrinade who convened the YNA’s Conference.

1. 3.                 The Meeting find it irresponsible that the National Assembly chose to distant itself from a most fundamental demand of the people of Nigeria for a Constitution of the people, by the people and for the people.

1. The Meeting noted that citizen’s interest cannot be secured or guaranteed either as to their rights or development needs until they become stakeholders in their affairs. This can only come about through an agreement of the people on the manner and terms of government or in other words a Constitution of the people.

1. The Meeting held the view that the present Constitutional Amendment charade promoted in various Zones by the National Assembly in place of a people’s Constitution in an outright abuse and embarrassment to our people. This is apparent from the disorderly Constitutional Amendment meetings organized by the National Assembly to achieve wrong purposes, such as the intended undue extension of tenure of political office holders at the expense of the people.

1. 6.                 The Meeting resolved that without a Constitution acceptable to the people of Nigeria, no election is Valid, proper or even legitimate. Therefore, the Yoruba People in today’s Meeting adopted this position that the participation in any further election until a people’s Constitution is made is not only futile but utterly unacceptable.

1. The Meeting holds the view that the Amendment process initiated by the National Assembly is unacceptable, consequently, it is hereby rejected. National Assembly cannot give Nigeria a Constitution by Amendment. At any rate, it is not a government that gives a nation a Constitution; rather it is a Constitution that gives a nation a government. And it is to the Constitution of the people that political leaders are expected to swear to protect not a military Constitution decreed on the free people of Nigeria.

1. 8.                 The Meeting, in conclusion, calls on all Yoruba Political Office Holders, especially the Legislative arms of government from the South West, at all levels, to reject and withhold any participation or further participation in the so called Constitutional Amendment exercise and insist on a Constitution of the people that is fit for the honor and dignity of the people of Nigeria.