2019: NIM, 41 political parties to pick `3rd force’ presidential candidates
By Angela Atabo
The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) says it is collaborating with more than 41 political parties to constitute a `third force’ that would field candidates in the 2019 elections.
The NIM’s Director-General, Mr Olawale Oguniyi, made this known in Abuja at the movement’s first anniversary celebration.
Oguniyi said that the initiators of the `third force’ movement of Nigeria that was engaging in the 2019 elections were ready for a ballot-driven revolution.
He said that the aim of the coalition comprising of over 41 parties and other groups was to join forces together to give the nation a people driven government and party.
“We made a resolution that we have to come together and present a common platform for a presidential candidate that will contest 2019 elections.
“NIM is working with about 41 political parties and we are still talking with others at various levels to join, it is the view of the leadership that we have a standout independent force that is not part of the present ruling class.
“So we are trying to mop up to try as much as possible to harmonise our forces to be able to present one common platform in 2019 that will win the election.’’
Oguniyi expressed optimism that the coalition would work out because it was all about negotiations, adding that “so when interests are negotiated within, it would come to fruition between people like minds.’’
He said that the idea was for the parties and presidential candidates to decide to work together to push a particular person to contest the elections then positions and power would be shared.
He said that the platform was offering Nigerians leadership and inspiration to take back their nation under a social democratic party where people could own their party against the existing norm.
Mr Gbanga Olawepo-Hashim, Presidential Candidate of People’s Trust (PT), said that NIM was an alternative to defeat the present parties and end the long history of recycling of ‘uneducated’ leaders in Nigeria.
Olawepo-Hashim, said that the group would rescue Nigeria from the politics and practice of recycling leaders adding that it would also pay N50.000 minimum wage.
He said that it would transform the nation’s economy to a 41 trillion per capita economy in less than 10 years, thereby ending poverty because Nigeria had no business being poor.
He said that the education system would also be restructured so it could produce Nobel award winners as in the past.
He said that it was NIM’s resolve to adopt a fresh and untainted political party with elemental potential of delivering dividends of democracy towards ctualising a new Nigeria.
The Chairman of NIM, Dr Abdul Jelil Tafawa-Balewa said one of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that `you end up being governed by your inferior’ and the wise who refused to rule would end up suffering.
Tafawa-Balewa urged Nigerians to join forces with the NIM to produce an alternative choice for Nigeria that would transform the nation’s economy in all its ramifications.
He urged Nigerians to stop electing corrupt politicians and seek better party that would repair the foundation of the nation that would translate to better development.
He said that it was high time to take the country by choice and take it where it should be because the whole essence of political leadership and government is the welfare and well-being of the citizenry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIM is co-chaired by former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Olisa Agbakoba and Dr Abdul Jelil-Tafawa Balewa to restore hope to Nigeria.
The NIM was formed on Nov.28, 2017 by new breed leaders of conscience towards breathing a new life of constitutional democracy and good governance trajectory that will engender a new Nigeria that works for all.
