The political movement, Coalition for Nigeria (CN), suggested by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to rescue the country from its present poor state, has been born.
It was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with two close associates of the former president, former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, in attendance.
Obasanjo hinted about the coming of the movement about two weeks ago when he descended on President Muhammadu Buhari, declaring that he had performed below expectation and should not think of a second term.
He said Buhari had proven that he did not have the solution to the problems of the country.
The former president also condemned the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
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Stressing that the parties could not achieve anything in the struggle to rescue the nation from abject poverty and insecurity among other things, he suggested a new movement which he tagged: Coalition for Nigeria.
His words: “We need a Coalition for Nigeria, CN. Such a Movement at this juncture needs not be a political party but one to which all well-meaning Nigerians can belong. That Movement must be a coalition for democracy, good governance, social and economic well-being and progress. Coalition to salvage and redeem our country.”
Obasanjo said once such a movement was formed, he could join.
“You can count me with such a Movement. Last time, we asked, prayed and worked for change and God granted our request. This time, we must ask, pray and work for change with unity, security and progress. And God will again grant us. Of course, nothing should stop such a Movement from satisfying conditions for fielding candidates for elections,” he said.
He added however that “if at any stage the Movement wishes to metamorphose into candidate-sponsoring Movement for elections, I will bow out of the Movement because I will continue to maintain my non-partisan position. Coalition for Nigeria must have its headquarters in Abuja.”