By Muyiwa Oyinlola
Barely three weeks after the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), about some frontline politicians from various geo-political zones of the country are working on the formation of another political association.
This is part of the political permutation for the 2015 general election, as some politicians are bent on giving President Goodluck Jonathan a run for his money at the poll.
Though, yet without a name, the group, Sunday Mirror gathered, last me hours of Thursday in Abuja as a non-partisan political organisation with the aim of instituting good governance in the country.
The group which started with 37 members and was then called G37 is chaired by a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the group has met at least five times in the last few months, in the house of a senator in Maitama, Abuja, with the attendance said to be getting better with every meeting. At the last meeting on Wednesday, over 200 prominent politicians were in attendance.
Among those at that meeting were Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who is the vice chairman of the group, Akin Osuntokun, the secretary, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, Ambassador Fati Abubakar, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of Aviation in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Chris Uche (SAN).
A source said the group is mainly concerned about how to stop the drift in the country. It was learnt that the last five meetings have been used to discuss the state of the nation, especially the issue of insecurity.
“We are concerned about total leadership. We are concerned about the wellbeing of Nigerians and how the leadership treats the followers. If you look at the names of members, you will see that it cuts across all the political parties.
We have PDP, APGA members in the fold”, the source said. To achieve its aim, several committees have been formed by the group Some of the committees include Mobilisation, which is chaired by Fani-Kayode, with Senator Grace Bent as deputy; the Finance Committee is chaired by Fafa Dan Princewill, while Media is chaired by Senator Emmanuel Onwe, with Prof. Mahmud Jega as vice chairman; Ribadu heads the Committee on Strategy and Research.
At the last meeting of the group, prominent businessman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, and George were some of those in attendance.
Other members of the group include Lawal Shuaibu, human rights activist, Uba Sani, Senator Umar Argungu, Olusegun Awolowo, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, and Hon. Yemi Arokodare
Culled from National Mirror Online
