National Conference Deceptive, Diversionary says Tinubu as he returns
Former Governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress Bola Ahmed Tinubu has criticized the proposed national conference, 
describing it as “deceptive” and “diversionary.”
President Goodluck Jonathan had, in his Independence Day broadcast to the nation last Tuesday, announced the composition of a committee to hammer out modalities for a national dialogue.
The committee, headed by a former Senator and Chieftain of the Yoruba apex socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Femi Okurounmu, will be inaugurated on Monday by the president at the Presidential Villa.
Bola Tinubu on his return from a medical trip abroad for a knee cap surgery addressed a press conference on Saturday in Lagos wondered why the president was proposing a national dialogue only 15 months to the 2015 general election, adding that those running the federal administration were not even smart in their deception.
”Why is the conference coming at just about 15 months to the next general election” he asked. ”When will it hold? Why so sudden? I see a contradiction and diversion,” the former Lagos State governor said while addressing party supporters, who had come to welcome him at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
”National conference is by whom, for whom, and at what stage? How many level of deception? These people (federal government) are not even smart public perception deception. I see a contradiction. I see diversion. I see deception, lack of honesty and integrity.”
Tinubu further alleged that Mr. Jonathan was proposing the national dialogue because his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had been factionalized.
He said, “Nigeria has never been this divisive in its 53 years of existence, yet he (President Jonathan) now considers a national conference because of the apparent division in his party.
”The timing is wrong. The programme is diversionary because there is no time for it now.”
Mr. Tinubu, however, assured that, as a democrat, “whatever the party says, I shall stand with.”
On the question of the national conference and the 2015 election postponement; Tinubu said ”It will only be postponing the stealing and looting that some people are enjoying and we will not accept that,”
”How long before the next elections, just about 15months and how long will it take to process the arrangement for such a thorough conference.
“I think we will talk about it (national conference) when we have a man of integrity, strong character and goodwill in charge of this country.”
The APC leader recalled that Mr. Jonathan had once stated that there was no need for Sovereign National Conference because the nation’s sovereignty lies with the national assembly.
”Democracy and sovereignty belongs to the people and not the national assembly and I suspect a distraction” he said, refering to the president’s sudden change of mind on the conference.
Mr. Tinubu, who arrived at the airport on a private jet at about 10.30 a.m, prayed for God’s forgiveness for those who circulated speculation about his death, saying ”they do not know what they are doing.”
The APC leader demonstrated that he had recovered fully by jogging and dancing with his wife, Remi Tinubu, a senator, at the venue of the conference.
While thanking those who came to welcome him, he said he missed Nigeria a lot ”this is the longest I’ve stayed away from home since the days of my exile.”
