By Daniel Kanu
Southeast leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have thanked former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Coalition for Nigerian Movement (CNM) for adopting the political party as the vehicle for actualizing its political goals.
Obasanjo and his political associates, including Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a co-convener, floated CNM in January as a political pressure group and platform to create what they called a new generation of leaders for Nigeria.
But on May 10, the Movement fused into the ADC. Oyinlola, former governor of Osun State, explained that by so doing, CNM had ceased to exist, having formally collapsed into a political party.
“We have said it before and we are stating it here again that the current state of despair and despondency in our dear country is an ill wind.
“It is foreboding and can only lead to a conflagration. Between January when CNM was formed and now, can we say that the story of Nigeria has changed for the better? Have things not worsened at all levels?”
CNM at the time admitted that “structural inadequacies and failure of leadership have robbed our country of greatness. We also note that a future of greatness for Nigeria will only be birthed by a new generation of youthful leaders with fresh ideas and knowledge of what it takes to govern a 21st century nation.”
Oyinlola said the decision to fuse into ADC was, therefore, an appreciation of “the progressive essence of the party and its untainted existence on the terrain of our nation’s politics.”
Meeting on Sunday, May 20, at the DIVINEGRACES country cottage of the founding national chairman of the party, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, at Awka, Anambra State, the Southeast leaders of the party thanked Obasanjo and other leaders of the group for the decision, assuring them that their trust was well placed.
The party also restated its commitment to using ADC to bring Ndigbo back to mainstream and national politics.
Below is the full text of the resolution
COMMUNIQUE OF ADC SOUTH EAST MEETING
The South East leaders of ADC held a strategic meeting to deliberate on the adoption of ADC by former President Obasanjo’s CNM and other strategic partners and political parties, and the way forward.
The following resolutions were reached.
1. To thank Former President Obasanjo and other strategic stakeholders, who we may not be able to mention, for their wise decision to adopt the African Democratic Congress ADC and the enormous trust they repose on the founding national Chairman of our party, our son Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu.
2. The leaders of ADC in the South East assure all stakeholders that their trust is well placed; that they should rest assured that our commitment and passion are in alignment with their patriotism, and good aspiration of all Nigerians. It is a known fact that the government of APC has failed in the core responsibilities of any government as the security and welfare of the people have deteriorated monumentally.
3. We are committed to using ADC to bring Ndigbo back to mainstream and national politics. In this regards, we pledge to work and put in our best effort and resources to colour the South East with ADC. We shall use the ADC symbol of handshake to reach out to every Nigerian to bring back friendship, love, unity of purpose, and use power in our diversity to make Nigeria a model for Africa, investors haven, and the darling of the world.
4. We remain committed to the avowed vision of the leaders of this country from the North West, North East, North Central, South West, South South, and South East to use ADC and the coming elections as launch pad to bring in new generation of leaders into governance concourse of the nation. We appeal to all these well-meaning leaders to continue their mentoring and guidance as we journey in this our nation building pathway.
5. The South East Leaders of ADC endorsed the policy proclamation of our strategic leaders to avail 30% of all positions to women and youths respectively, and call on youths and women across Nigeria to embrace our great party to hone their skills, talents, and leadership that such inclusiveness avails them.
6. We call on all well-meaning patriots in the South East and across Nigeria to join ADC. The door is wide open to accommodate everyone. In ADC everyone has ownership; As we say in ADC “everyone is a VIP.
7. We urge all patriotic Nigerians of voting age to register and obtain their PVC and be ready to use their votes to effect the needed change in Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria.
Signed Signed: South East ADC and CNM Leaders;