Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), which has former Cross River State
governor, Donald Duke, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), Charles Soludo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba,
Tafawa Balewa, and Prof. Pat Utomi, as members, has vowed to rescue
Nigeria in 2019.
The group said it would be providing an
alternative to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP.
Former Education minister, Mrs. Oby
Ezekwesili is also a member of the group, including former Information
minister, Frank Nweke Jnr, Col. Abubakar Umar (retd), Ayo Obe, Rabiu
Ishyaku Rabiu, former presidential adviser, Akin Osuntokun.
A
statement from the NIM secretariat in Abuja, yesterday, described the
group as a pro-democracy movement and pressure group of like-minded
Nigerians who are committed to changing the political order, which has
failed to fashion a Nigeria that works for all.
“NIM is concerned
that the political elite, since independence, and particularly, since
the exit of the military from visible power in 1999, has proved that it
is ill-equipped and unprepared for the challenge of transforming our
nation from its under-developed status to one that is prosperous and can
create a veritable environment for the realisation of its citizens’
potentials and well-being.
“It is clear that the political elite,
as currently represented by the two dominant political parties, the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC),
among others, have failed Nigerians, for lack of clear Ideology and
principle on how to run the country.
“Concerned that left to
their schemes and antics, this class of entrenched leaders will lead
Nigeria into a state of indescribable human misery, characterised by
death, hunger, disease, illiteracy and manipulation.
“Therefore,
the NIM, being unable to continue to stand aloof, has decided to create a
third political force, a platform to mobilise all citizens of goodwill
and conscience towards engendering a new political system and culture in
Nigeria, capable of bringing about the desired opportunities for all to
actualise their dreams and potentialities; a nation where no man or
group is oppressed.”
The statement noted that to drive NIM’s
vision are: Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (Co-Chair); Dr. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa
(Co-Chair); Professor Pat Utomi (Deputy Chair); Rabiu Ishyaku Rabiu
(Deputy Chair); Comrade Isah Aremu (Deputy Chair) and Chief Akin
Osuntokun (Deputy Chair).
Other officers include Hajia Aisha
Aliyu (Women Leader), Mr Dayo Israel (Youth Leader), Dr Osagie Obayuwana
(Legal Adviser), Hajia Shetu Alfa Ibrahim (Treasurer), Mallam Naseer
Kura (Publicity Secretary), Col. Abubakar Umar Dangiwa (Ex -Officio), Dr
Oby Ezekwesili (Ex -Officio) and Mrs Ayo Obe (Ex-Officio), Sir Olawale
Okunniyi (National Secretary/Director General).
Chairmen of
standing committees are: Mr Donald Duke (Finance Committee); Prof Jibrin
Ibrahim (Ideology Commission); Comrade Najeem Usman (Political
Commission); Mallam Tanko Yinusa (Mobilisation); Mr Wale Ajani (Students
& Youth); Mr Taiwo Akinola (Diaspora Commission); Mr Tony Uranta
(Strategy & Engagement) and Mallam Shittu Kabir (Contact/Logistics).
