NEWS ANALYSIS: Still On 2014 National Confab and Jonathan Double Standard

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has joined the campaign for the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference which he inaugurated while in office. In a public lecture delivered in Port Harcourt, a few days ago, Dr. Jonathan claimed that peace and political stability would continue to elude the nation if the recommendations adopted by the delegates at the Conference are not adopted and implemented by the Mohammadu Buhari administration. This call would have been in order if it had been made by another Nigerian. But certainly not by Dr. Jonathan who betrayed the nation by dumping the report of the national conference which he received while in office.

We recall that when he inaugurated the Conference President Jonathan had assured the Nigerian people that his regime would implement the recommendations adopted by the delegates. He confirmed the determination of his government to implement the recommendations when he received the report of the Conference from the Chairman, Justice Legbo Kutigi on August 20, 2014. But for reasons best known to him President Jonathan who was in power decided to dump the report.

President Jonathan who had at least 9 months (August 20, 2014-May 29, 2015) did not deem it fit to implement any of the 600 resolutions of the Conference. Why is he now asking for the implementation of the recommendations of a conference set up by him which he ignored to the detriment of the nation? Is the belated call by Dr. Jonathan a way of diverting attention from the unprecedented looting of the national treasury? Does the man think the Nigerian people take him seriously? In fact, Dr.Jonathan’s call for the implementation of the Conference may discredit the report!