Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was absent on Wednesday when Coalition for Nigeria, CN, a Movement the elder statesman mentioned in his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari last week, was launched at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
No reasons were given for Obasanjo’s absence from the launch and none have been confirmed as at the time of going to press.
But two former governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun state and Donald Duke of Cross River state, were among the dignitaries present at the launch.
It would be recalled that former President Obasanjo had in his widely circulated letter to President Buhari last week, spoken of the Coalition for Nigeria, which he said was the solution to the leadership crisis Nigeria was faced with due to the failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the main opposition, PDP.
In the said letter, which generated a lot of discussions among Nigerians, Obasanjo dismissed the two leading parties as unable to solve Nigeria’s leadership conundrum.
Nigeria’s former president between 1999 and 2007 not only hinted that he was committed to such a Movement, he also stated in his letter that the Movement could transform into a political platform upon which candidates can stand for election.
Obasanjo’s letter read in part: “We need a Coalition for Nigeria, CN. Coalition to salvage and redeem our country. 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.
Oyinlola, who has been rumoured as CN’s new Coordinator, was last year appointed by President Buhari, as the Chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is likely to resign the appointment anytime soon.
Avec independent
