Third Force embarks on membership drive as Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement is set for launch

macfranc007 January 31, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Eromosele Ebhomele

- The Nigeria Intervention Movement says it welcomes the coalition being championed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo

- NIM says it is embarking on a membership drive into its Third Force initiative ahead of 2019

- Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is reportedly coordinating the CNM

The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) has commenced a drive to welcome new coalitions, groups, and others to its Third Force initiative just as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s own version of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) is to be launched.

Daily Trust reports that the NIM’s deputy director-general (media and publicity bureau), Mallam Naseer Kura, said his group is ready to welcome new members and groups.

In a statement, Kura reportedly said events in recent times had shown the swift and positive response of Nigerians to the philosophy and message of the movement.

“This is underscored by the recent, historic statement by a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose clarion call on like-minded Nigerians from different states and regions of the federation, different religious beliefs and backgrounds, groups of Nigerians from different professional and sectorial leanings should come together to create an environment for the realisation of the citizens’ potentials and aspirations.

“NIM was conceived as a ‘third force movement’ for the mobilisation of Nigerians towards changing the socio-political contraption by democratic means on account of the failure of both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP to utilise the goodwill received from the people of Nigeria in the last 18 years,” Kura said in the statement.

According to him, the NIM welcomes the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Coalition of Nigeria Movement (CNM), Wale Ajani-led Coalition of Nigeria Movement (CONIM), which was launched earlier and others like Revive Nigeria Group (RNG), as well as the Restoration Group.

On the other hand, The Nation reports that the CNM is to be flagged-off in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31, with former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, allegedly planning to resign his appointment as the chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) so as to be able to take up the role of coordinating the coalition.

The report quotes the mission of the CN as stating: “The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is a movement that seeks to promote and ensure socio-economic development, improvement, growth, social justice, egalitarianism, cohesion, cooperation, equity, equality of opportunity, transparency, societal order, rule of law, human security and human rights leading to National Unity, good governance and general well-being and the welfare of all citizens and inhabitants of Nigeria.”

The report quoted a source, as saying: “As you can see, we are set for the formal launch of the CN Movement on Wednesday in Abuja.

“Our membership is open to all Nigerian citizens of 18 years and above. It is a common platform to rescue this nation from its challenges.

“Shortly after the launch, we will have interim officers and we will immediately start meeting with people and groups of like minds nationwide on the way forward for this country. We will traverse the length and breadth of this country to ‘change the change’ at hand.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app

“So far, we have about 10 governors on our side, a former National Security Adviser, some ex-governors(military and civilian), retired Generals, ex-ministers, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and some civil society organisations.

“Others already collaborating with the CN include a former National Security Adviser, some ex-governors like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Donald Duke and Sule Lamido, a former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana and other like minds. We will release the list in the fullness of time.”

NAIJ.com reported earlier that ahead of 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari has received support from some non-governmental organisations in Nigeria just as the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CN) is to be unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31.

Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? - on NAIJ.com TV