Crisis Breaks Out At National Conference Venue In Edo State

The colour and shape of the proposed National Conference is beginning to manifest. Efforts by the committee which is led by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, to collate the views of the people of the South-south zone on the modalities for the conference were marred on Monday as the action of one of the committee member, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), who is believed to be an agent of Governor Godswill Akpabio in the committee, virtually brought the proceedings to an abrupt end.

Trouble started when chairman of the committee, Senator Okunrounmu, announced the imminent departure of Governors Adams Oshiomhole from the venue of the meeting. He sought that Oshiomhole should be allowed to make his remarks before he left...

However, as the governor started to speak, he was interrupted by people led by Col Nyiam, who is suppose to be a member of the committee, simply because Oshiomhole has a contrary opinion.

Nyiam, who was part of the 1990 coup in Nigeria and escaped from Nigeria to exile until he was forgiven by the government of Abdulsalami Abubakar, practically shouted down Governor Oshiomhole.

Members of the committee which was set up by President Goodluck Jonathan are said to be disappointed by Col Nyiam's action that some of them are already calling for his resignation from the team.

I hear the matter has gotten to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, who in turn said he would take it up with President Jonathan on his return to Abuja.