Sagay faults North’s opposition to key issues

By Temidayo Akinsuyi
Snr Correspondent, Lagos

Constitutional lawyer, Itse Sagay, on Tuesday, said nothing positive may come out of the ongoing National Conference if the North continues to oppose most of the proposals raised by the delegates.
Sagay, who spoke in a chat with Daily Independent, said most of the proposals made at the conference, like resource control, devolution of power and state police, are essential ingredients of a true federalism, but added that it may not see the light of the day if the North continues to stand in its way through outright rejection.
He, however, expressed optimism that the conference will achieve its desired result for the benefit of the whole country if the delegates can relegate their personal interest and make that of the nation paramount in their discussion
“So far so good, I think the conference has been going on fine. My concern, however, is that of the opposition of the Northern region to some of the issues under discussion. Issues like resource control, devolution of power and even the creation of state police.
“I really don’t see them achieving much with the whole of the north, three zones against any decision taken at the conference.”

So they will come back after the conference and see that there is no difference.”