FOR the Yoruba Assembly, the announcement of convening a national conference by President Goodluck Jonathan is a "welcome development" as it will allow each nationality to develop its economy at its own pace within the frame-work of a united Nigerian Federation or Nigerian Union.
Also, the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has begun efforts geared at contributing to the national conference.
In a statement Tuesday by Convener of Yoruba Assembly, Lt.-Gen. Alani Akinrinade, the group said a national conference convened to work out a better structure for the survival of the country as one territorial entity characterised by peaceful co-existence of the nationalities should not be subject to the stresses of partisan political parties.
He noted that the organisation of the conference should be without any direct participation by any of the existing political parties in the country.
"While all Yoruba people respect political parties as vitally crucial instruments for the running of the country's democratic processes, we believe, however, that involving partisan political parties in the national conversation of the national conference is capable of creating avoidable tension and distraction for meaningful dialogue among the nation's federating units," the statement said.
The group said the conference should be given freedom and support to do a thorough job in good time, so as to ensure that the national conference would not unnecessarily disrupt the statutory calendar for the 2015 general elections.
In a statement issued by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, it recommended that there should be "no-go" areas in the course of the discussion, saying the fact that people would not be restricted would enhance frankness as well as greater acceptability of the conference outcome.
It added that the outcome of the conference should lay appropriate emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
One of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, had upon his arrival from a medical trip in the United States (U.S.) at the weekend, said Nigerians should not rely on the conference, as it would be a "major distraction" and a diversionary step taken by a sinking ship. He said there was something wrong about the timing of the conference as it would fall within the election year.
