A day after the group, Coalition for Nigeria Movement, CNM, was unveiled in Abuja, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has registered as a member.
The registration was carried out at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abeokutaon Thursday.
Obasanjo filled the membership form and submitted it to former Governor of Osun State, Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Rtd.)
Oyinlola is the National Coordinator of the group.
Speaking with journalists after the submission of the form, Obasanjo said he believed that the group would help move the nation forward.
His words: “I am happy to be a member of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement which is a movement for good governance.
“This is the commencement for our popular and grassroots association.
“The membership will be free to collectively decide on whether it will become a political party and if it decides to transform itself and go into partisan politics, I will cease to be a member.
“It is necessary to make it clear that this new movement does not regard itself as a third force.
“It sees itself as a popular movement that can accommodate all Nigerians irrespective of their political interest or affiliations and will propel Nigeria forward.’’
The registration of the former president was in fulfillment of his promise to identify with the movement if formed.
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.
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The former president also condemned the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
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.”
