The South-South and the National Conference of 2014

Abstract

In 2014, the Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government convened a constitutional conference. The government charged the delegates to discuss every conceivable constitutional issue except the breakup of Nigeria. Delegates at the conference represented states and interest groups. But the most controversial issues at the conference were those that pitted groups organized on geo-political basis against one another. It is in this context that we can discuss proceedings and decisions of the conference on the basis of the conflicting interests of the regions and geopolitical zones of the country. This essay discusses the positions of the South-South on the conference. It begins with a definition of the South-South. This is followed by a discussion of the zone’s position on the convocation of the conference. Finally, it discusses three issues that were of special concern to South-South delegates at the conference.

Key words and Phrases: Goodluck Jonathan, federal government, south-south, and national conference.