GRPolitics
NIM Aims at ‘Grassroots’ Soul : Is Platform A Macron Movement Nigerian Style?


By Peter Ikenna
The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the supposed ‘mega’ opposition- the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be concerned or rattled.
Those they ought to be lobbying to join their parties are already on a journey; and have formed a new political movement- National Intervention Movement (NIM).
Owing to the caliber of membership NIM could be the force Nigeria and Nigerians have been waiting for to address the anomalies, injustices, corruption, and other vices that have earned the country bad reputation among other nations.
Thus, the message went viral on social media as NIM, over the weekend, released the Provisional Tasks Team and Steering Committees Membership List, cutting across the six get-political zones in Nigeria.
NIM’s style seems to have been influenced by Emmanuel Macron’s movement prior to French elections last year.
The iconoclastic, then French economy minister Emmanuel Macron, poised to shake up the political landscape before the presidential race, launched a political movement.
This sparked speculation about his own ambitions to run for power.
Today, Macron, a charismatic and straight talking former investment banker, has had a meteoric rise to become one of France’s most popular Presidents.
Two years before he launched the platform, Macron was ‘unknown’, belonging to no political party and never having run for elected office; he never delayed in sending a rocket through traditional French politics.
As the Guardian UK puts it, “While serving in a Socialist government, he has systematically attacked the taboo subjects of the left – from the 35-hour week to Sunday working, and the vast public service – and decried what he calls the terrible limitations of a ‘sclerotic’ France, paralysed by economic immobilism and the dire discrimination against the country’s multi-ethnic youth on housing estates”.
He started by hosting a “citizens’ rally” in his home town of Amiens, in northern France, where, Macron announced he was founding his own political movement, called En Marche!, or Forward!, which was neither “of the right nor the left”.
The platform was open to anyone from any political party, the movement is rounding up support from MPs and funding. Its aim is to come up with new ideas to solve the “blockages” holding France back.
“I’m in a leftwing government, unashamedly,” Macron said. “But I also want to work with people from the right, who commit to the same valuesThis ambition, it’s radical, it’s a bit crazy, but there is such an energy in this country.”
No doubt, Nigeria urgently needs ‘Macron’ to redeem her from socio-economic, political and other quagmires that have befallen the land.
This is why I feel NIM is on a right course and pray fervently that the foundation does not receive attacks from the political hawks.
What NIM Means
This platform is a ‘third force’ political reality to provide a credible alternative platform for ideal and acceptable political leadership and governance in Nigeria.
It is a purely owned political platform by the mass movement of the people of Nigeria. It does not have founding fathers owners and money bags investors. Every member Nigerian will contribute his token and widows might to fund and grow it and also fundamentally run it for the purpose of access to equal and unbiased opportunities to contest or run for elective offices in Nigeria under ideal democratic rules, tenets and ideals.
According to Olukayode Salako, Head of New Media and Networking, NIM National Secretariat, Abuja, “It is not a political party per se, but a mass movement of ideologically compatible and patriotic Nigerians to move a against the frustrating governing order statuscuo and operate as one force majoure entity under a political mission and agenda to always ensure the entrenchement of a new and ideal leadership order in Nigeria”.
Salako said that NIM will work with other splinter political, civil society and professional groups of interest in Nigeria to negotiate for power and elective offices for its members; support them to contest and help to install acceptable governments in every part of Nigeria.
NIM is already becoming a house hold name; it is growing as expanding fast across the six go political zones in Nigeria and will surely and strategically contribute prominently to the emergence of the new political order in the 2019 elections.
It is obvious Nigerians are earnestly asking for the emergence of the third political order in the present Nigeria.
This is one some concern, prominent and patriotic Nigerians are already building for you.
A. STEERING TEAM
1. Olisa Agbakoba
2. Rabiu Ishyaku Rabiu
3. Pat Utomi
4. AbdulJhalil Tafawa Balewa
5. Donald Duke
6. Ghada Abubakar
7. Kemi Jorge-Oyewusi
8. Aisha Aliyu
9. Frank Nweke Jnr
10. Jibrin Ibrahim
11. Isa Aremu
12. Emeka Okengwu
13. Olubunmi Usim Wilson
14. Hauwa Shekarawu
15. Eugene Enahoro
16. Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye
17. Mary Manzo
18. Oby Ezekwesili
19. Bisola Clark
20. Ikpe Obong – Labour
21. Peter Balogun – Labour
23. TUC
24. PLWDs
25. Wale Ajani – Youths
26.Naseer Kura
27. Charity Shekari
28. Olawale Okunniyi – DG
B. FINANCE TEAM
1. Donald Duke
2. Rabiu Ishyaku Rabiu
3. Olisa Agbakoba
4. Pat Utomi
5. AbdulJhalil Tafawa Balewa
6. Kemi Jorge-Oyewusi
7. Abisola Clark
8. Akin Osuntokun
9. Adenike Sobajo
10. SECRETARIAT
C. IDEOLOGY COMMISSION
1. Jibrin Ibrahim
2. Pat Utomi
3. Eugene Enahoro
4. Kemi Jorge-Adewusi
5. Sam Amadi
6. Bolanle Onagoruwa
7. Isa Aremu
8. Opeyemi Agbaje
9. Femi Aborishade
10. Odia Ofeimun
11. Natasha Akpoti
D. POLITICAL COMMISSION
1. Olisa Agbakoba
2. Issa Aremu
3. Emeka Okengwu
4. Shittu Kabir
5. Alistar Soyode
6. Akin Osuntokun
7. Dare Falade
8. Adijat Oladapo
9. Kassim Afegbua
10. Folashade Grace Brent
11. Ogbeni Lanre Banjo
12. SECRETARIAT
E. CONTACTS & MOBILISATION TEAM
1. Shehu Gabam
2. Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu
3. Kemi Jorge-Oyewusi
4. Olubunmi Usim-Wilson
5. Rachel Oniga
6. Naseer Kura
7. Aisha Aliyu
8. Tony Uranta
9. Wale Ajani
10. Adenike Sobajo
11. Adijat Oladapo
12. Chigozie Ubani
13. Shettima Yerima
14. Seidu Ahmed TAL
15. Foluke Daramola
16. Bunmi Oriniowo
17. Mojisola Olusoga
18. SECRETARIAT
F. STUDENTS & YOUTHS’ CELLS TEAM
1. Mary Manzo
2. Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye
3. Abbah Ejembi
4. Ismail Olawale
5. Wale Ajani
6. Steve Aluko
7. Japhet Odesanya
8. Rachel Oniga
9. Gbenga Ademujimi
10. SECRETARIAT
G. REPORTS HARMONISATION
1. Olawale Okunniyi
2. Emeka Okengwu
3. Naseer Kura
4. Promise Adewusi
5. Bolanle Onagoruwa
6. Prof Anthony Kila
7. Inn. C.
8. Fatima Bako
H. STRATEGY & MARKETING TEAM
1. Tony Uranta
2. Inn. C.
3. Victor Enahoro
4. Opeyemi Agbaje
5. John Ekwuyasi
6. Rachel Oniga
7. Dare Falade
8. Saidu Ahmed TAL
9. Kola Onadipe
10. Anthony Kila
11. Ejembi Abbah
12. Emeka Okengwu
13. Bunmi Oriniowo
14. SECRETARIAT
I. LEGAL TEAM
1. Olisa Agbakoba
2. Femi Falana
3. Mike Ozekhome
4. Femi Aborishade
5. Ayo Obe
6. Supo Sasore
7. Osagie Obayuana
8. Jiti Ogunye
9. Ebun Adegboruwa
10. Supo Ojo
12. Esther Uzoma
13. Malachy Ugwumadu
14. Ubani Oyenkashi
15. Mohammed Fawehinmi
16. Joe Nwokedi
17. Natasha Akpoti
18. Yomi Dada
SECRETARIAT
J. DIASPORA COMMISSION
1. Baba Adam
2. Bola Abimbola
3. Moshood Aderibigbe
4. Taiwo Akinola
5. Lanre Ijaola
6. Alistar Soyode
7. Muyiwa Okunniyi
THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
Olawale Okunniyi, DG
Naseer Kura – (DDG) – Publicity
Promise Adewusi – Administration
Ronnie Dikko – Documentation
Chris Azor – Research
Abba Ejembi – Strategy
Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye – Contacts
Kayode Salako – Social Media & Networking action.
Nigerians, this is your NIM!
GRPolitics
PDP Crisis: Saraki, Dickson, Dankwambo Storm Enugu, Meet with Gov Mbah
… South East is important to PDP, says Saraki – REPORTER: SANDRA ANI


In a clear bid to stem the tide of crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the PDP Special Reconciliation Committee chaired by former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Friday, met with the governor of Enugu State and leader of the party in the South East region, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Other members of the Committee present at the meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Government House, Enugu, were former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, and former governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo.
It is recalled that the leaders of PDP in the zone had in a communique issued after the South East PDP Zonal Executive Council, ZEC, meeting a fortnight ago announced the re-nomination of former PDP National Youth Leader, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, to serve out the remaining tenure of the National Secretary, threatening possible exodus should their decision not be respected.
“In the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” the communique stated.
But addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting with Mbah, Saraki said, “We are members of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee that was set up recently by the PDP Governors’ Forum to work towards ensuring that our upcoming National Executive Council meeting and also likely convention is rancor-free and and works smoothly.
“In line with that, we are here in Enugu State to consult with one of our leaders, Governor Peter Mbah, who is the leader of South East PDP.
“This is the first state we are coming to because we appreciate the importance of the South East in our PDP family. As you all know, the South East has played a key role as the bedrock of the popularity and the strength of our party.
“In recognition of that, we are here to consult with him and first to commend him on the leadership role he has been playing in the party. More importantly also, to commend what he is doing in Enugu State, which is a reflection for Nigerians to see what happens when you have a PDP government.
“In doing that, we discussed how we will ensure that we carry out the assignment given to us and go ahead to have our NEC and our convention. We will have one that is rancor-free and smooth, peaceful and lays the foundation for the PDP that we all are wishing for.
“We have had a very good discussion. Frankly, we have had a very, very useful discussion. We are going away with some of the suggestions that we have here and hopefully work on that.
“With this, we can say here in Enugu we laid the foundation for a greater new PDP that is coming.
“What we have also seen today is that there is nothing insurmountable in the challenge ahead and the spirit, the commitment of all of us, especially our leaders, is very very inspiring,” he stated.
GRPolitics
Ratify Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary or Face Mass Exit, South East Threatens PDP


… It’s time to stand together – Mbah
… We’ve been trampled upon – Wabara
… We don’t want to be taken for granted – Achike Udenwa
The crisis currently rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has worsened as the South East caucus of the party has threatened mass exit from the troubled party if its choice of Hon. Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary is not respected for the umpteenth time.
This was even as the governor of Enugu State and leader of the PDP in the zone, Dr. Peter Mbah, said it was time for the zone to speak with one voice, while the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, expressed fury over what they described as the party’s disrespecting and trampling of the region.
The zone vented its displeasure in a communique read by the Zonal Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa, at the end of a meeting by the South East Zonal Executive, ZEC, at the Government House, Enugu on Wednesday.
It said the meeting was convened to nominate a candidate to complete the remaining term of the position of National Secretary in line with the directive of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, during its 600th meeting in Abuja.
Rendering the communique, Odefa said, “The South East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the directive of the NWC and came to the conclusion that it offered a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party. Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.”
The South East PDP, however regretted that it had to go through the process of nominating Udeh-Okoye severally since October 2023, and urged the NWC to not only immediately ratify his nomination, but also ensure that Arch. Setonji Koshoedo effectively occupies the Office of the National Secretary in acting capacity pending Udeh-Okoye’s ratification by the NEC.
The South East PDP, however, threatened to review its continued membership of the party should its position suffer further delay despite its agelong loyalty to the PDP.
“The South East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In PDP’s near three-decade existence, we have given our loyalty and all to the party.
“Currently, while the party has been losing key members post-2023 general elections, the South East PDP is at the vanguard of strengthening the Party by rallying major opposition figures such as in Enugu where the Labour Party, LP, gubernatorial candidate, two LP House of Representatives Members, numerous members of the House of Assembly, among other stalwarts into the PDP fold.
“Therefore, we hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. This would bring to a closure to the needless lingering dispute over the matter.
“However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” the communique concluded.
Wabara, on his part, said it was in order to review the region’s relationship with the party should what he described as trampling of the zone by the party persist.
“We have been trampled upon, not taken seriously. If such a position were vacant in the South-South, it would not be like this. And now, it came to us. I mean, the usual thing is to play politics with the Igbo man. Yes, we may have to reconsider our stand as far as the party is concerned. But I trust the NWC,” he stated.
Udenwa, on his part, Udenwa said, “We are expecting that this issue will be finally ironed out once and for all. We do not want to be taken for granted by anybody again.”
GRPolitics
2nd anniversary: Nsukka leaders score Gov Mbah’s administration high
…as Nsukka retired army generals, DSS, police throw weight behind Mbah’s security reforms


Leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District, also known as Nsukka Zone, have scored the administration of the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, very high and satisfactory, stating that the governor’s second anniversary in office deserved commendations.
This was as retired senior security chiefs, comprising army generals, directors of the Department of State Services (DSS), commissioners of police, among others, declared support for the governor’s security reforms and tech-driven policing system.
The Nsukka leaders who converged on Adada House, Nsukka, weekend, under the aegis of Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial Zone Chapter, comprised a cross section of socio-cultural groups, senior academics, retired security officers, captains of industry, traditional rulers, association of farmers, politicians, among others, drawn from the 6 council areas, said the governor had done well in the governance of the state.
The gathering which featured a dialogue series themed, H.E Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Administration – The Journey So Far (Education, Politics & Security), had the former Minister of National Planning and Chief Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Osita Ogbu, delivering the keynote address.
Referring to the former Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew’s sacrifices that led to the transformation of Singapore from a third world country to a developed nation, Prof Ogbu said the country was in need of leaders that were committed to the welfare and growth of their people.
He commended the governor for substituting partisan politics for all-inclusive, people-driven governance in the state.
Noting that the governor was fulfilling his campaign promises, Prof Ogbu pointed at the revitalization and completion of abandoned projects, funding of quality education, financial independence through fiscal discipline, private sector mentality and efficiency in public governance.
Speaking on the concept of “Tomorrow Is Here,” the renowned economist said the governance philosophy had zero tolerance for lazy and unintelligent acts, zero tolerance for corruption, strive for new opportunities, adherence to strict democratic accountability, clean and green environment, and the pursuit for healthy and happy citizens with rights and responsibilities.
“We did analyses of the budgets of all the states and we did a comparison. Enugu State, in absolute terms, in relative terms, spends more on education than even Lagos State. It’s the highest spender on education across the federation,” he added.
Speaking on security, a discussant, Maj. General Victor Ezeugwu (rtd), said the retired veterans from the zone met with the governor on some of the challenges facing the zone with proposals, adding that the governor had already done almost 60% of them.
“We visited the Command and Control Centre in Enugu today, and from that centre we watched Uzo Uwani and the forests around Uzo Uwani, and other areas, and all of us were very amazed that he has brought technology to bear on security. We’ve proposed to the governor that all the senatorial zones have a replica of that spectacular innovation which he has promised,” Ezeugwu said.
The veteran, who called for a joint taskforce where all the security apparatuses would work in sync to tackle the menace of killer herders and the ESN, said Governor Mbah had provided welfare and also informed them of the planned increment of salaries for local vigilante and neighbourhood watch operatives.
Acknowledging that veterans from the zone were already working in synergy with the governor through a 5-man committee approved by him, Gen Ezeugwu called on the people of the district to support the state government to do more.
Also speaking were the Member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Dennis Agbo, the Deputy Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ezenta Ezeani, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Innovation, Dr. Chinyere Onyeisi, Coordinator of the group, Hon Chinedu Onuh, and the secretary, Prof Simon Ortuanya, who lauded the governor for championing landmark projects in the zone.
Justifying the significance of the gathering, Hon Agbo said the governor had done well particularly for the people of the zone which was the motive behind the discussion. He called on the people to continue their support for the administration.
Lending his voice, the Deputy Speaker said it was time to tell the world the remarkable projects the governor was championing in the senatorial zone, and to also convey a message of appreciation to him.
“From what we have gathered from our people, the governor is getting more popular on a daily basis. It’s because of the litany of development projects and it has never happened, so we’ve come out en masse to appreciate his good works. We’re a very grateful people, and we are grateful to the governor. What we’re discussing here is governance beyond politics,” he added.
On her part, Dr Onyeisi stressed that the world-class 260 smart schools in the state were an initiative of the Mbah administration to address inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, and equip both teachers and students with the essential soft skills for the 21st century tech revolution.
Declaring support for the governor on behalf of other security chiefs, Maj. Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd) said security comes first in any clime at all levels, saying the governor had accepted to set in motion all that was required to execute the terms and proposals made by them.
According to him, “Everything that he’s putting in place, it’s only security that will make us enjoy it – the economy, education, health, and all that the government is doing. The most important thing we from the Enugu North Zone can do is to encourage him to continue to do more, and let us not distract him unnecessarily. From afar, you’d think that the governor is unapproachable, but if you approach him with a good idea, you’ll discover that this is a leader.”
Other dignitaries at the dialogue moderated by the Chairman of Udenu LGA, Mr Aka Eze Aka, were the former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Dr Dan Shere, the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, State Secretary of PDP, Chief Chukwudi Nnadozie, foremost entrepreneur, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, and the chairmen of the 6 local government areas of the zone led by the Deputy Chairman of the State Chapter of ALGON, Barr Ferdinand Ugwueze, among others.