"Confab would not approve corrupt delegates" - Presidency. Set to name its chairman,Sec others

To get the pro-posed National Conference under way, the Federal Government will name the chairman of the exercise, other secretariat staff and approved delegates today, Vanguard has gathered.

An inside source told Vanguard, yesterday, the government had concluded the screening of delegates nominated by stakeholders and would publish the list of cleared delegates today.

The Presidency said recently that it would not approve corrupt delegates.

During a 75-minute media chat, last week, President Goodluck Jonathan said the conference would begin today with the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary, who would work for a week after which the dialogue proper would kick off on March 10.

‘’Our thinking is that the national conference will begin on March 3. You will know the chairman, the deputy chairman and the secretary, but they will start work for at least a week before we invite others to join.

“On March 10, I will formally inaugurate the conference. The plan so far is that the conference will start on March 3,’’ he said.

But since then, the President has not named the secretariat staff, fuelling fears that the exercise may not begin as planned.

Besides, most of the states and stakeholders did not publish the names of their delegates. As of press time, only nine out of the 36 states have published their delegates.

Asked why the states were shunning the exercise, the source said: ‘’That is a wrong assumption. Who told you that the states were shunning the conference. Wait till tomorrow (today) when the Federal Government will name the chairman, deputy chairman, other staff of the secretariat and delegates that it has screened and approved to know whether the states have shunned the conference.’’

States and stakeholders that have published their delegates include:

Niger State

* Dije Bala, Chairperson Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru

* Abubakar Chika Adamu, Special adviser to Niger State Governor

* Barrister Haladu Ibrahim, Chairman, Niger State Local Government Commission

Kano State

* Malam Sule Yahya Hamma- Chairman of The Buhari Organisation (TBO).

* Dr Junaidu Mohammed – Second Republic member of the House of Representatives and public affairs commentator.

* Hajiya Aishatu Isma’il – former Minister of Women Affairs.

Lagos State

* Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) – renowned lawyer and former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing

* Supo Sasore (SAN) – former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

* Prof. Tunde Samuel

* Mrs. Funmilayo Bashorun

* Mr. Waheed Ayeni

* Mr. Rabiu Oluwa

Ekiti State

* Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye -the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese

* Prof Akin Oyebode –International law expert

Oladeji Fasuan – former Chairman of defunct Movement for the Creation of Ekiti State.

* Dr Kunle Olajide – Secretary, Yoruba Unity Group
* Prof. Bisi Aina

* Oba Idowu Babalola, Chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers also featured on the list.
Osun State

* Lt General Alani Akirinade

* Prof Mojeed Alabi

* Mr Femi Akande

* Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji

* Mr Dipo Famakinwa

* Mrs Bola Ogunrinade

Ogun State

* Olanihun Ajayi – Afenifere and NADECO stalwart

* Senator Biyi Durojaiye

* Oba Kehinde Olugbenle – Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland

·Pastor Tunde Bakare

·Prof. (Mrs.) Titi Filani

· Mr. Fola Adeola (Ogun

· Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi

· Senator Iyabo Anisulowo

Adamawa State

* Alhaji Gambo Jimeta – Former Police IG, among others, and other states.
source: Vanguard