The National Assembly at the weekend described the calls for Sovereign National Conference (SNC) as diversionary and unnecessary.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, said the lawmakers have offered quality representation to their constituencies.

Mohammed, who is representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency of Kwara State, addressed reporters at the weekend in Ilorin, the state capital.

He said: "Sovereign National Conference is unnecessary and diversionary and it is the thinking of some idle minds. We appreciate that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) fought for democracy and it is here to stay. Military rule is an aberration; it can never come back to Nigeria.

"Convening SNC is about representation of Nigerians and you already have representation of Nigerians in us. One of the most credible elections that INEC conducted was the election that brought us to office. So, people in the National Assembly are representing the Nigerian people.

"Security matters have occupied the front burner of national discourse. We have been inviting the service chiefs for private meetings from time to time to find solutions to the problem. 

"Loss of confidence in institutions has been like that over time, but it's not fair for people to say they want to convene an SNC for now. Are we going to conduct elections to bring on representations for the SNC? How many ethnic groups do we have in Nigeria? Is every ethnic nationality going to be represented? If they have a template for discussion, there are representatives to address such."

The lawmaker noted that things have not gone out of hand in Nigeria, adding that the government only needs to build confidence in the governed so that the people can have faith in their leaders.

Mohammed said: "Whether we like it or not, we've been married together with the amalgamation of 1914. There's nothing we can do about it. We either float together or sink together. 

"Those calling for a breakaway of Nigeria don't mean well for us. We cannot reduce ourselves to tribal forces and begin to play local champions. Nigeria is a unique country of several ethnic nationalities bonded together by nationality."

According to him, Nigeria is blessed as 25 per cent of its potentials has not been tapped.

He noted that the only thing lacking is good leadership, saying: "With time, we'll get to where we are going."

On the purported division in the House over the subsidy probe, the lawmaker said the report was not true.

He said those who have benefited from the subsidy regime were just getting jittery because of the level of revelations.

Mohammed added that the House would protect the probe from being thwarted.

He said: "We will also ensure resolutions and recommendations on the revelations and standing laws, using our legislative powers, are carried on to the letter and made public and all institutions and individuals indicted will definitely be brought to book because the issue of fuel touches on the lives of the common man and it has knock on effect on all the sectors of our economy."