Donald Duke, Oyinlola Speak On Coalition For Nigeria

Coalition for Nigeria Logo.

A former governor of Cross River State and one of the leaders of the Coalition for Nigeria, Mr. Donald Duke, has dispelled speculations that the new political movement could favour President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Naija News reports that the Coalition for Nigeria was formally launched yesterday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja as suggested by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in the 13-page blistering letter he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, pointing out the loopholes in his administration.

Mr. Duke, at the sidelines of the launch of the movement yesterday told Premium Times, “I don’t see how this would favour him.”

Naija News gathered that some critics said the group lacks the rudiments of politics and fresh ideas that could gear Nigeria forward, and that the group might end up playing a spoiler role in the 2019 elections by spreading the votes of the major opposition parties.

However, Mr. Duke said, “It is not a spoiler. We’re not here to help anybody. In fact, we’re here to express our frustration. We’re all frustrated people.”

Also present at the launch yesterday was former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who lamented the challenges the country is battling with, saying the Federal Government did not have a well-thought plan of action to combat the challenges.

Oyinlola said, “Youth unemployment has hit the roof. Every year, we produce millions of graduates who will soon realise that the country has no place for them. The devil will always find one horrible job or the other for the idle hands. The youths who manage to have jobs are not guaranteed their salaries at the end of the month. Even companies in the private sector are facing very difficult times with very great effects on their employees and their capacity to expand. Every sensible person knows that there is trouble ahead unless something urgent is done.

“It is in our plan of action to democratically build and enthrone a new set of youthful and knowledgeable leadership for this country. We shall have offices and elected officers in every ward, Local Government Areas, states and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“The membership of the movement is open to all Nigerians of voting age. On funding, it is our belief that the money to run its affairs will come from the contributions of members at each level. The movement must not belong to a moneybag somewhere. That is the only way we do not end up as the problems we set out to solve.”

Oyinlola therefore, urged Nigerians not to see the coalition as a political party for now and added that consultations were ongoing as to whether the movement should be registered as a political party.

He also dismissed claims that the coalition was trying to legitimise Obasanjo’s legacy.

“To say that we are legitimising Obasanjo’s legacy is a bit off the mark,” Oyinlola said.