February 22, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Tuesday launched a new political group, ‘The National Movement’ (TNM).
This is coming a few days after the former Minister of Defence, stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), do not have anything to offer Nigerians.
The launching of the Movement was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Prominent Nigerians at the event were elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai; Air Vice Marshall Iheanaju; Solomon Edoda; Nweze Onu; Falasade Aliyu; Rufai Alkali; Suleiman Hunkuyi; Grace Ben; Umale Shittu; Ibrahim Ringim; Ali Gwaska; Paul Okala; Rufai Hanga; Idris Wada; Abdulrahman Abubakar, among several others.
Speaking at the occasion, the Convener of the group, Kwankwaso said the Movement was born out of a collective desire to rescue the country.
His words: “Today, all Nigerians cut across all social, religious and regions have gathered. It is our collective resolve to rescue our nation from this difficult situation.
“For too long, Nigerians have been asking for a way out of our current severe economic and political predicament. For too long, friends of Nigeria both at home and abroad have been looking forward to the day Nigeria shall rise again. I am pleased to say, the place is here and the time is today and now.”
According to him, The National Movement is made up of all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
“The National Movement has members and roots in virtually every Local Government Area and Wards in this country”, he said.
He described the core values of the Movement as “Trust, leadership, responsibility, equity, competence, trustworthiness, commitment, transparency, equality, patriotism and justice.
Kwankwaso said he met with his friends during the COVID-19 lockdown and resolved that a step must be taken to rescue Nigeria.
“We resolved that there must be a Nigeria first before politics. While some of us will want to contest, we must work together to rescue the country.
“The National Movement has members in every local government area and outside the country,” Kwankwaso said.
Kwankwaso was a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, when he lost the primary election to Atiku Abubakar.
A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Professor Rufia Ahmed Alkali, is the Protem National Secretary of the group.
Alkali, had in a letter of invitation to the launching of the Movement said it would be historic.
“During the launch, the TNM will be formally presented to the general public and the convener of the movement will outline its aims and objectives and its principal purpose as well as inviting all patriotic Nigerians at home and abroad to join the TNM in the overall interest of saving our country and redirecting her onto the path of safety and security, peace and prosperity, equity and opportunity, in addition to qualitative and competent leadership that will engender rapid and sustainable development as well as being fair and just to all”, the invitation had said.
