Obasanjo obtains CNM Membership Card, says the Movement is non-partisan

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday formerly registered as a member of Coalition for Nigeria Movement after its official launch of the Ogun State chapter.

The event which took place at the Iwe Irohin NUJ Press Centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, saw some personalities such as the former governors of Cross River and Osun states, Donald Duke and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, respectively, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, Mrs. Modupe Adelaja and top politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was afterward decorated with the official emblem of the Movement by Duke.

While addressing the full-packed hall, Obasanjo said his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari last week, was born not out of frivolity, but out of great concern for the situation in the country.

He added that Nigeria as a nation cannot continue business as usual, observing further “If the instrument we have used since independence has not worked, then we should rethink and retool to make the country work.”

Obasanjo, who stressed that Nigeria, like any other countries, has various challenges, explained that the Coalition was set up to mobilize Nigerians for peace, unity, security, stability, love, welfare and the wellbeing of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly youth and women who, according to him, have been at the receiving end of national crises.

He mentioned the disrespect for the federal character as enshrined in the country’s constitution, the spate of killings and violence across the country, and the parlous nature of Nigeria’s economy under President Buhari’s administration, as some of the reasons for the Coalition.

He noted that “if the instrument we have used so far in our nation-building and governance since independence have not served us well, it is imperative that we should rethink and retool, stressing that it would amount to height of folly for anybody or any group to continue to do things in the same way and expect different results

Obasanjo added that “the Coalition for Nigeria will raise standards generally but particularly standards of political leadership and governance”.

“Like all countries, Nigeria has many challenges. That, by itself, is not what we should worry about. What should matter is how, when and with what instruments we address or fail to address these challenges or create more problems”.

Expressing his happiness to be a member of the coalition, Obasanjo said, the movement is a pressure point towards good governance, saying that this is the commencement for our popular and grassroots association.

He added that membership of the movement will be free to collectively decide on whether CNM becomes a political party, assuring that if the movement decides to metamorphose into a political party; he will cease to be a member to maintain his non partisan elder statesman.

He urged members of the movement to promote the CNM and mobilize membership all over the country including membership from Diaspora, stressing that the movement is an opportunity for Nigerian men and women, especially youths who have been feeling marginalized and helpless to go all out and bring friends and families into CNM fold.

The CNM will remain a popular socio-economic movement open to all Nigerians who believe in the greatness of Nigeria and are ready to contribute to it.

While lamenting that Nigerian government has taking nation-building for granted, Obasanjo noted that nation-building must be given continued attention to give every citizen a feeling of belonging and stake in his or her county, arguing that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari concentrated the nation’s security apparatus in a particular geopolitical zone which he said was not good enough.

“Nobody and no group should feel excluded in his or her country. Inclusion and popular participation must be visibly pursued in terms of politics, the economy and our overall social life”.

He noted that “the spate of violence, criminality, organized crime, insurgency and terrorism have not received sufficient proactive ameliorative response through transformational leadership; a determined leadership that brings cohesion and wholesomeness to polity”.

“A socio-economic popular movement needs to be the new vehicle to give hope to thw youths, dignity and encouragement to women and security, confidence and a promising future to all Nigerians. It must work to bring about a new democratic and efficient Nigeria. The movement must speak up boldly and bluntly about the truth but politely in accordance with African culture.

“The movement will also act collectively with political awareness, social responsibilities, sustained and sustainable economic development and p[progress. Timidity and cowardice must not be part of its make-up or culture and neither must there be indifference”.

“He who keeps quite, inactive and indifferent in the face of bad act is an act accomplice to that act. Self-interest, self-centeredness and selfless must be put aside. National interest must be paramount. The movement will teach what it believes and practice what it teaches, “Obasanjo added.