BY DAPO AKINREFON
THE Nigeria Summit Group has restated that it does not intend to convene a Sovereign National Conference but rather a National Dialogue to address the country’s problems.

Also, the group said it would set up modalities that will help in the selection of delegates to the dialogue.

Executive Secretary of the group, Mr Tony Uranta who said this in Lagos at an expanded National Working Committee of the NSG, noted that Nigerians are at liberty to turn the National Dialogue to a Sovereign National Conference.

Mr Uranta explained that “we are working on the process to bring about a National Dialogue with the intent to create equal Nigeria. We are not asking for a Sovereign National Conference but for a National Dialogue but if Nigerians choose to turn the dialogue into a Sovereign National Conference, so be it.

On  his part, chairman of the committee, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai said it was imperative for Nigerians to opt for dialogue to tackle the problems besieging the nation.

According to him, “there was need for all Nigerians to identify our areas of differences and use dialogue as a tool to expedite understanding amongst all groups and interests in the country.”

Furthermore, he said “at the risk of sounding tautological, let us reiterate that our country is made up of varying diversities of cultures, interest and propensities, which is not surprising considering our land mass and the reality that ours is an amalgam of what used to be diverse nation groups. It is therefore expected, that although we have many commonalities, we also have quite a few areas of differences.”

However, part of the group’s agenda was to consider the current move by the National Assembly yo amend the constitution, discuss the security challenges facing the country and the way forward as well as issues generating from the fuel subsidy report.

Those present include: former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Alabo Graham Douglas, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Dr Fredrick Fasehun and Mrs Yemisi Ransom-Kuti.