Experts debate Oborevwori’s call for regular national conferences
Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, has proposed a decennial, institutionalised national dialogue to address Nigeria’s persistent governance and structural challenges. His plan seeks to move away from ad hoc conferences and establish a recurring, legally grounded process with legislative backing. While some experts praise the ambition, others question its practicality and necessity, arguing that the real issue lies in political will and implementation. The debate highlights deep divisions over whether dialogue or concrete reform is the path forward for Nigeria.
Key takeaways
- Sheriff Oborevwori proposes a national conference every ten years, anchored by an independent secretariat and backed by a legislative process to turn resolutions into law.
- Critics like Professor Kamal Bello argue that conferences should be convened only for urgent issues, not on a fixed schedule, and that Nigeria’s real need is action, not more dialogue.
- Adejumo Kabir suggests a shorter, four-year cycle aligned with elections and stresses that implementation, not legislation, is the main challenge.
- Past national conferences, including those under Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, produced many resolutions but saw little follow-through due to lack of political will.
- The proposal also calls for broader representation and accountability, but experts warn that without genuine commitment from leaders, even the best-designed frameworks may fail.
