Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and a group of prominent politicians have launched a new political group, “The National Movement“, ahead of the 2023 elections.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Kwankwaso, also the convener, said the journey began in the summer of 2021, when a group of friends and associates met in Abuja under the auspices of Kwankwaso’s Friends to review the situation in Nigeria.
According to him, the movement was formed out of a collective desire and commitment by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to rescue the nation.
He said that the movement was formed from different religious, political and ethnic backgrounds in response to calls for a way out of the current economic and political situation in the country.
Kwankwaso said, “We were fully aware that the mind of the average politician in Nigeria was primarily focused on the upcoming elections and how to win them regardless of the circumstances.
“But for those of us who came together and reviewed the state of the nation in the summer of last year, we had a different view.
“Rather, we saw ourselves as leaders; we saw each other as patriots; we saw ourselves as nationalists; we saw ourselves as democrats; and we saw ourselves as important players and factors in the evolution and future of Nigeria.
“Therefore, we were convinced that there must be Nigeria first before politics and democracy can be nurtured and there must be Nigerian people alive and living in great harmony with each other before elections can take place.”
Kwankwaso added, “While most of us would like to run and win the election, we decided that we must do everything within our capabilities to work together to reverse the dangerous course that Nigeria was heading down.
“This is how the National Movement was born. As we can all see here today, the National Movement is made up of all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
“From our point of view, everyone matters and given the current nature of the political environment in this country, we must look beyond the limits imposed on us, the parties that operate in the country today.”
He said that the mission of the movement was to lay a solid foundation of justice, freedom and equal opportunity for all Nigerians, regardless of their feelings.
“Nigeria will be a land of justice, freedom and equal opportunity where all citizens will aspire to achieve their lifelong goals and ambitions, to live in peace, prosperity and happiness.
“We will use our rich and diverse cultures as a unique and rare foundation of strength and we will rebuild a nation where no person is oppressed by God.
“The movement sees Nigeria’s human and cultural diversity not as a curse, but as an asset and a blessing that we must harness,” he said.
Kwankwaso listed the core values of the movement to include trust, leadership, responsibility, fairness, competence, trustworthiness, among others.
“In addition, the movement shall: uphold the sanctity and dignity of human life; defend the foundations of freedom and human rights.
“Restore the glory and prestige of Nigeria and Nigerians in the eyes of the world and consolidate Nigeria’s strategic alliances with our global friends and partners.
“We will build a formidable, robust and competitive knowledge-based economy and return Nigeria to the world map of progressing nations.
“We will fight against rural and urban poverty and promote the prosperity of all, and not the prosperity of a few,” he said.
Kwankwaso said that the movement believed that all the high ideals mentioned above could not be achieved in an atmosphere of rancor.
“Therefore, we are more than determined to confront these threats to our corporate existence, we are ready with concrete and incontrovertible measures to bring our nation out of the doldrums.
“As declared Democrats, we are ready and prepared to act in accordance with the wishes and desires of all our people.
“We will embark on a massive, comprehensive and unprecedented reform of our national life to improve the living conditions of all our people.
“The provision of critical infrastructure is the main engine of employment generation and national economic development,” he said.
Speaking, Mr. Solomon Dalong, former Minister of Sports, emphasized the need for the movement to start mobilizing Nigerians for unity and justice.
Alhaji Buba Galadima said that the launch was his happiest moment and called on Nigerians to support the movement.
Some of the politicians highlighted at the event were Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai; Chief Solomon Edoda; Senator Nweze Onu; Mr. Falasade Aliyu and Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali.
Others included Senator Grace Ben; Senator Umale Shittu, Mr. Ibrahim Ringim, Alhaji Ali Gwaska, Chief Paul Okala, Mr. Rufai Hanga, and former Governor Idris Wada of Kogi.
KanyiDaily had also reported how a group of 30 prominent Nigerians including activists, academics, and other professionals formed a new political movement called ‘National Consultative Front (NCF)’ ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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