Coalition for Nigeria: Obasanjo to register today in Abeokuta

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, is expected to launch his Coalition for Nigeria Movement, CNM, today​ in Ogun state.​

The event will hold at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta.

The ​​notice of the launch ​was issued ​Thursday morning by ​the ex-leader’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi​.

​He said ​Obasanjo would register as a member and also be on hand to chat with prospective members.
“The registration of members for the Coalition for Nigeria Movement, CN, Ogun State chapter begins today, Thursday, February 1, 2018.

​”​It will hold at the lwe-Irohin House, Press Centre, Oke Ilewo Abeokuta,” the statement said.

CN was launched yesterday in Abuja at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Donald Duke were in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Oyinlola, said the group is not yet a political party.

Oyinlola said for it to make electoral impact in the manner described by the former President, they would need to follow the constitution and register it as a political party.

Obasanjo suggested the formation of the movement in his recent statement on President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.

​Meanwhile, ​a body of professionals and civil society activists have identified with the CN.
The group known as Civil Society and Professionals Coalition for Nigeria (CSPCN) was represented at the inauguration of the ​CN in Abuja​.

Spokesperson for CSPCN, Kayode Samuel, in a statement said: “We in the Civil Society and Professional Coalition for Nigeria (CSPCN) have decided to stand up to be counted in this mission and are ready and prepared to join hands with other concerned compatriots to bring about the Nigeria of our dreams – where life is safe and secure, livelihoods guaranteed and the people have confidence in their government.”

He noted that it is self-evident that two crucial duties – security and prosperity of Nigerian citizens – appear to have been fulfilled mostly in the breach in the present government.

“Insecurity and poverty roam the land and wrack the people. This has created a climate of uncertainty and fear not just for individual Nigerians but more critically for the entire enterprise of nation building​.​

​“Today, the country appears to have transited from the domain of bad governance to the zone of a failed state. This has a damaging effect on both public security and citizen well-being.”

CSPCN, Samuel said had observed that majority of Nigerian youths and women are fast reaching the conclusion that Nigeria is neither good for them nor fair to them, adding that to reverse the narrative requires more than lamentation but to become politically involved.

“This historic duty is even more incumbent on civil society and professionals, who must have a continual interest in the good of society and its smooth functioning. They must now assume a custodial role in the remaking of Nigeria for a better future not only for themselves but also unborn generations”, he said.

He stressed it is in the, “enlightened self-interest of Nigerians to rise and be counted on the side of a rescue mission that is almost becoming belated.”