National Conference: Delegates lament insecurity across Nigeria

National Conference in plenary

A delegate advocated for a law to bear arms.
Delegates to the National Conference on Monday observed a minute silence for victims of insurgency across Nigeria.
The minute silence was observed following a motion by a delegate from Zamfara State, Mande Balla, who drew attention to the killings of over 150 persons during the weekend.
He lamented that a lot of people have lost their lives through the violence that has been unleashed on them by other Nigerians.
Mr. Bala noted that if urgent steps are not taken to curb the increasing restiveness and insecurity in the country, the situation could worsen. He called on delegates to work together to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.
Majority of delegates, who spoke on the floor of the Conference, called for measures to check the growing level of insecurity in the country.
Delegates also lamented the killings and destruction of property that have occurred in many parts of the country, especially in the North.
They called for equity, justice and fair-play in business of governance so that Nigerians will have a sense of belonging wherever they find themselves in the country.
Ledum Mitee, a Federal Government delegate, said he came to the Conference with an agenda to defend the rights of the people of Nigeria.
While every delegate and even the President claimed that they have no agenda, he said he has one on behalf of the Ogonis.
Mr. Mitee said, “I came here with an agenda. I am from Ogoni and we have come to represent a metaphor in Nigeria. We drink water that is poisoned beyond what is allowed by the relevant international bodies.
“Let me say, Mr. Chairman, beneath all the arms that are seen in the North and Southern part of the country, there was a voice that called for attention and justice but which we failed to heed.”
He said he encountered youths who were vandalizing pipelines while serving as Chairman of the Niger Delta Technical Committee.
When he sought to know why the youth were cutting the oil pipelines, one of them said they were looking for all that has been promised them in the past and not delivered.