2019: OBJ quits CNM after ADC adopts movement

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By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)

NIGERIA: EX-PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo has resigned from his recently formed Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), the group he established to oust President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general election.

The former President said that the decision followed his prior pledge to quit the movement once it metamorphose into a political party.

The leaders of the movement had just announced its decision to adopt African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official political party to contest for political offices in next year general elections.

“The leadership of the movement, after detailed examination, wide consultation and bearing in mind the orientation, policies and direction of the movement have agreed to adopt ADC as its platform to work with others for bringing about desirable change in Nigeria polity and governance,” Obasanjo had said at the press conference held at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta Ogun State.

He stressed: “The emergence of ADC is the beginning of hard work to continue to consolidate our democracy and to make development in all its ramifications real, relevant, accessible, popular and reaching out to all Nigerians wherever they may be.”

“You registered in millions for the Coalition for Nigeria Movement,” the ex-President said, adding: “Your actions, enthusiasm and commitment with those of other and other organizations – political parties, civil societies, social and cultural groups – have made possible the new dawn that ADC will usher in.”

He further said: “With the emergence of ADC as a political party for the movement and its associates and in line with my clear position which I have often repeated, the phase of my job is done and I will not be a member of the party, but as I have always done since I quit partisan politics in 2014.

“I will keep alive and active on Nigerian and African issues and interests and I will be open to offering advice to any individual or organization for the unity, development and progress of Nigeria and indeed Africa.”

Obasanjo explained that the adoption of ADC by CNM will embrace the principle of recruiting 30 percent youth, under 40, and women into all arms of the new party.

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