Leaders of Southern Nigeria have agreed to put up a united front at the National Conference proposed to hold from March to May.

They have already harmonised and fine-tuned the region’s agenda, as unfolded through the communique of the Southern Leaders’ Summit held yesterday at Tinapa Business and Resort, Calabar, Cross River State. The communiqué was signed by Chief Olu Falae, Chief Tony Anenih, Mr. Rasaq Oladosu and six state governors: Liyel Imoke, Peter Obi, Olusegun Mimiko, Martins Elechi, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio.

In it, the southern leaders commended “the courage and wisdom” of President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the National Conference and reiterated their unalloyed support for him. They committed themselves to a united and indivisible Nigeria based on the principle of justice, equity and rule of law, with ample respect and understanding for cultural, religious and linguistic differences. Towards this end, intend, at the Conference, to do the following:

•Support the re-establishment of a truly federal Nigeria with the following key elements; devolution of power to federating units, and co-ordinate and equal powers between the central government and the federating units.

•Propose the designing of one legislative list to be known as federal powers in the constitution and whatever is not contained in the federal powers is to become the legislative powers of the federating units.

•Canvas, in line with the principle of democratic governance, that decisions at the National Conference should be by simple majority.

•Endorse an increase in revenue allocation to the federating units in a way that takes cognizance of the new responsibilities and residual powers of the federating units.

•Recommend the removal of solid minerals from the exclusive legislative list.

•Recommend the design of roles for traditional rulers by respective federating units.

On other issues, the communiqué demanded that the Federal Government “must re-visit the issue of the loss of territory particularly as it relates to the loss of the Bakassi Peninsular.”

The southern leaders commended the National Assembly on efforts to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and prayed that the Bill be passed before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

They commended President Jonathan “for his commitment and dogged efforts in fighting the menace of insecurity,” noting that, “in spite of these security challenges, Mr. President has made remarkable progress in the development of critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly in the areas of power, transport, aviation, agriculture and direct foreign investment.”

•Photo shows a cross section of the Southern Leaders during the summit . . . yesterday in Calabar.

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