Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he did not implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference during his reign.
Mr Jonathan said the political situation in Nigeria at the time was too turbulent to accommodate the presentation of the recommendations. He disclosed this on Sunday during a condolence visit to the family of late Afenifere leader Ayo Adebanjo.
Mr Adebanjo died on February 14 in Lagos. He was aged 96.
Mr Jonathan said the 2014 National Conference would not have come up without the contributions of people such as Mr Adebanjo.
“He meant the best for this country,” he added. “When a nation is not moving as expected, there is the need for a comprehensive dialogue.”
Mr Jonathan said that those who participated at the conference were credible.
Mr Jonathan said, “I gave them total authority to discuss what is good for this country.”
He said that a number of people had kept asking why he did not implement the recommendations of the conference.
“Most Nigerians do not know that there was a lot of political turbulence in the country at that period,” added the former president.
He said a key member of the legislature in his party mobilised against him and moved to another party.
Mr Jonathan also mentioned that some persons were ready to bring his administration down at that time.
“It was not the time we could present such a document. Thank God for everything. We believe that one day, one government will review it and take everything,” he said.
Mr Jonathan said the recommendations came from credible Nigerians who were not politically influenced.
“We believe the outcomes are still very relevant for our society,” said the ex-president.
(NAN)
