The scramble for seats at the forthcoming National Conference has already started, News Express can reveal this morning. Modalities for the conference were released yesterday in Abuja by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, at a press conference attended by Chairman of the National Conference Advisory Committee, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, and the Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa.

As at last night, some political heavyweights had started working the phone lines with a view to emerging as delegates at the conference scheduled to hold from March to May. One of them told News Express: “I will like to be at the conference. I will try to reach out to my state governor and possibly Mr. President to see if I could get nomination.”

A total of 492 delegates will attend the conference, which is free to discuss every issue under the sun except the dissolution of Nigeria.

January 30 to February 20 has been set aside for the nomination of delegates, no fewer than 60 of them by President Jonathan, with at least one elder statesman from each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The rest of the delegates will emerge thus:

•Governors of the 36 states: three slots each, making 108, with one delegate from the FCT, all making 109.

•The six geopolitical zones: 15 delegates each, totalling 90.

•Retired military and security personnel: 18

•Retired civil servants: 6

•Traditional rulers: 13

•Trade unions: 24

•Organised Private Sector: 8

•Youth organisations: 18

•Women groups: 24

•Muslims leaders: 6

•Christian leaders: 6

•Civil societies: 24

•Nigerians in Diaspora: 2 each from Europe, Asia, America and Africa.

•People with disabilities: 6

•Newspapers proprietors: 2

•Nigerian Guild of Editors: 2

•Nigeria Union of Journalists: 2

•Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria: 2

•Professional bodies: 13

•Former political office holders: 24

•Judiciary: 6

•Former local government chairmen: 1 from each geopolitical zone.

•Political parties with representatives in the National Assembly: 10

President Jonathan is to nominate the chairman, deputy chairman and secretary of the conference.

According to Anyim, “The list of nominees shall be submitted either online to www.osgf.gov.ng or in hard copy to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, 3rd Floor, Central Business District, Abuja. Formal inauguration of the Conference shall follow as soon as the nominations are received and collated.”

•Photo shows Anyim, with Okurounmu on his right, announcing modalities for the conference . . . yesterday in Abuja.