The National Conference was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on the 17th of March as a response to provide a forum for delegates to discuss contentious issues such as the devolution of powers, structures of government, resource sharing and control and to make recommendations that will advance Nigerian unity.
Historically, National Conferences are neither new nor regressive to Nigeria. For instance the pre-colonial Constitutional Conference held in London in 1957 paved way for Nigerian Independence in 1960 as the Eastern and Western regions were granted self independence in 1957 and the Northern region was granted its independence in 1959. Also, the idea of the six geo-political zones that has become a criterion for equitable representation has been credited to the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
In the present National Conference, concerns have been raised over the status of the report of the Conference at the end of its convergence. Various constitutional lawyers for instance have differed in their opinions on the constitutionality of the Conference as well as the status of the Report even when it has been subjected to a referendum. Already, the President has expressed reservations in labelling the Conference as sovereign. Critics have also pointed out that the N7 billion naira allocated to the Conference is a waste of public funds as the most sensitive issues will fall foul of the 70 percent majority needed in the absence of a consensus as required under Order VI Rule 3 of the National Conference Procedure Rules 2014.
With the Senate withdrawal of the proposal of section 9 of the proposed constitutional alterations that attempted to make provision for the President to initiate the Constitution, vocal supporters of the National Conference are left with mere optimism on the outcome of the Conference.