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The 16th Conference of the Northern Speakers Forum yesterday commenced in Sokoto with the state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Maga-takarda Wamakko advising them to always endeavour to be integral parts of their respective constituencies. According to him, a patriotic and visionary politician will not allow any barricades to be created between him and the people he represents.

The governor who was declaring the meeting open at the auditorium of the Sokoto State Polytechnic, also said there is a need to ensure that the executive, legislative and judicial arms were bounded by a common thread of selflessness and dedication to the cause of the electorate.

“A smooth relationship of support and understanding between all arms of government is a prerequisite for sustaining democracy and overall development of every nation,” he added.

Wamakko who described the meeting as historic as the state was hosting it for the first time, said a forum would no doubt provide a database, a catalogue and think-tank of ideas and policies from peripheral organs of the polity which would immensely feed the centre, thereby enriching the nation’s legal system, as well as propelling the aspirations for integrated and sustainable development.

Although he said the forum is regional in outlook, “but its goals transcends regional boundaries,” adding that our nascent democracy could only continue to develop, sustain and share dividends of democracy on the basis of strong political institutions and dynamic socio-political dialogue which such forum offers.

Earlier in his address,the chairman of the Forum and Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Alhaji Goni Ali Madu said the aims of the forum were among others cross-fertilizing parliamentary views on issues that are important for the survival of the region, as well as discussing problems affecting the region to proffer solutions.

He said in their meetings, they have been discussing the proposed constitutional amendment and its likely implication and/or importance to the region, global financial crisis and its possible implication, resumption of oil exploring in the Chad basin among others.

Madu further reiterated that they would not allow the objectives of the founding fathers of the region such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto to vanish, saying they would do all they could to ensure that they were achieved.

He said that the forum was free from any form of segregation, stating that it is the only forum that is 100 per cent united irrespective of religious and tribal differences, with their watchword always being “Northern Nigeria”.

Present at the opening ceremony were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, some members of the 19 northern states’ houses of Assembly and other traditional rulers.