National conference must comply with Constitution – Senate

 The Senate on Tuesday clarified its position on the Sovereign National Conference, saying any national dialogue must be subjected to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

It also said it was not against the holding of a national conference to discuss the way forward for Nigeria, but insisted that changes in the political configuration of the country must follow the stipulations in the Constitution.

Last week, the Senate, through its spokesman, Senator Eyinnanya Abaribe, disagreed with certain groups in the country who called for a Sovereign National Conference to resolve the problems facing the nation’s federation.

He said there was no need for a conference as the people had members of the National Assembly to deal with whatever national issue presented to it for dialogue.

His comments drew flacks from the public, which criticised the National Assembly for always turning against the people.

But speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Abaribe said the National Assembly was not evading the holding of a national conference, if it was the desire of Nigerians.