Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, took the Federal Government to the cleaners.
He insisted that anybody who wants the present administration to continue beyond 2019 should be medically examined.
“If anybody wants Nigeria’s current situation to continue the way it is today, then his head has to be examined. And some people are still saying that this situation should continue. God, the Almighty, will not allow them to have their way; we will neither suffer and nor shall we be put to shame.” Obasanjo, who spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State
at the official launch of the Coalition of Nigerian Movement (CNM), tasked Nigerians to brace up for the 2019 general elections and get their Permanent Voter Cards (PCVs) “to effect a positive and desired change for the betterment of the country”.
At the rally were CNM National Coordinator, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Ahmed Raji, a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja; two former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo and Mr. Dele Adigun respectively; a former Council Chairman, Gbenga Adewusi and the CNM coordinators across the 33 local governments of the state and 351 wards.
Speaking intermittently in English and Yoruba, Obasanjo changed the slogan of the group to “CNM for the youths, CNM for the Women and CNM for Nigeria”. Obasanjo told the crowd: “It is obvious what we will get if our situation continues the way it is at the moment.
“You all recall my statement of January 23, this year, the statement was just not made, it was made out of reality of Nigeria’s situation. It came after deep thought and reasonable consultations. It came after some forms of consultations and robbing of minds together with men and women and that gave birth to what is today known as CNM with Oyinlola taking up the challenge for its eventual launch even while I was away in U.S.
“I belief at my age, I should not continue to complain without finding solutions to the situation in which we have found ourselves. But we can’t do it alone. We will work with all those who are not with those who are not performing. When that time comes, we will tell you the platform.
“However, don’t ever think it will be easy. Tough times never last only the tough people do and men and women born of noble birth don’t fear any war. It won’t be easy to salvage Nigeria from those profiting from its poor state and current situation but God, who did it yesterday, will do it again for us.
The terrain is much familiar and the game is not new to us. We are well experienced in it. Remember a particular leader who had a desire to transmit from military uniform to elected president. And the five political parties at that time nominated this just single individual in a way that if his nuclear family alone had come together, he would still have won but God was laughing at them. God, the omnipresent and omniscient, who can do all things, will do it for us. God is the supreme being who can make all things possible. And when we are looking unto God, we should also work ceaselessly to achieve”.
He didn’t end his speech without making recourse to President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s statement at the recently concluded Commonwealth meeting in London and remarked that “Nigerian youths are a set of resilience and hardworking folks who had seen hell along the Mediterranean and could be the best they can if they have half of the opportunities I, Obasanjo and a number of elders had in our growing years.
“Give them a small opportunity to excel, they will perform miracle, especially if we are able to give them 50% of what we enjoyed while growing up. Education is the best legacy to youths, are we funding it the way it should be? I am happy to be here to tell our people that works have started in earnest. They will harass, intimidate and make jest of you but remain undaunted for the task ahead. Get your PVC, it is the instrument and key to chase them away and open the door ahead of us. PVC is the key to open the door.
Don’t be intimidated. For me, I don’t think there is anybody in this Nigeria who can intimidate me. I have seen a lot; sent to prison and weathered the storm altogether. So, registration is important for all of us,” he added.
Oyinlola had, in his welcome address, disclosed that the CNM was in talks with a number of political parties ahead of the general elections, just as he revealed that over three million Nigerians have registered with the group.
