Date: 2014-07-08

Former Secretary General of Jama'atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and pioneer Grand Khadi of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulkadir Orire, yesterday said the turn of events at the ongoing national conference has exposed "a hidden agenda".

He said the reported plan to write a new constitution from the proceedings of the conference was unacceptable, adding that drafting a new constitution would not address the challenges facing Nigeria.

Orire, who is chairman of the state Muslim Community, spoke with Daily Trust in Ilorin.

He faulted the creation of new states, saying such would only deepen corruption and empower more individuals to pilfer government resources.

He said the rejection of some recommendations of the conference by northern delegates has vindicated him, because, according to him, he raised objection to the planned convocation of the conference.

"Everybody knew right from the beginning that there is a hidden agenda because we don't see any difference at all in writing a new constitution. Constitution is not what is worrying Nigeria, what is worrying Nigeria is how youths can get employment, how corruption can be eradicated and so on. But to say it is when you create more states that Nigeria will move forward is unacceptable", he said.