By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Convener of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), codenamed The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi has questioned the corrupt practices of Nigerian politicians who engage in vote buying during every election.
“In Nigeria democracy, every vote must be purchased. A credible candidate will first of all think of where to get money to buy votes”, he said looking worried.
Sowunmi, a former governorship hopeful in Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, in a South-South Town Hall meeting.
He said the Town Hall is aimed at sensitizing the people to come up with a chosen candidate who will be profiled by the Movement (The Alternative), and presented as presidential candidate, Senate, House of Representatives or State House of Assembly in the next election.
Sowunmi who was Atiku Abubakar’s former spokesman, added that democracy does not mean the exclusion of the children of the poor in governance, but rather an opportunity to uplift a credible common man in the society, to the position of a leader.
According to him: “We are in search of a leader to lead Nigeria, when you find them amongst you, bring them to us, we will use The Alternative platform to profile them by asking them the write questions, and when we find them worthy, we will market them for you in the next election”, he said.
Sowunmi informed that the current leaders who claim to be serving Nigeria are enriching themselves with the commonwealth of the people, and have vowed to perpetually remain in power, hence the reason for the Alternative movement to address the ugly trend.
“They people who claim they are serving us, we have found out that through governance, they own the biggest houses and businesses in town, and their families are living large as if they are the inheritance of King Solomon.
“They have also succeeded in plunging the country into tribal and ethnic divide, using it as a weapon to remain in power.
“We must find a leader that will manage our diversity, not the ones that are so careless, and not paying attention to the rhetoric of the nation’s diversity”.
He continued: “Are we not going to review the ruling party based on its programmes, or should we allow them to be reinforcing their failure?
“We will not accept a situation where the children of the poor will become so irrelevant and the children of the rich will continue to rule the country”, he said.
On his part, a member of The Alternative Movement, Adai Edwin Adai said that the meeting testifies that Nigerians are tired and subsequently desperate for a change. “Enough is Enough! we cannot continue to be taken for a ride.
“I see hope, I see change, I see possibilities and advancement with Nigerians from the South-South. I see progressive minds who are willing to pay the supreme price of rescuing our democracy, and thereby working towards a better nation”, Adai said.
Tariere Fiebai, also a member of the Movement, said the group is extremely optimistic, and highly inspired by the pragmatic steps taken by Nigerians to define a new dawn in the country’s political ecosystem.
“The zeal is organic and unimaginable, the sacrifices and unwavering commitment by hundreds of volunteers towards the successes of the Town-Hall Meeting is an expression of the fact that, the generation on board is not willing to accept or negotiate with any system or individual who is towing the old part”, she said.
Also speaking, Sensi Osaro, the Rivers State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, called on all political parties especially the opposition to join hands with the movement to achieve its people orientated cause.
Appealing to the leaders of political parties present at the event to close ranks, Osaro emphasized the need to put the country first before personnel gains.
The Rivers State Labour Party Chairman, Hilda Dokubo who also spoke, decried women exclusion from politics, adding that a platform that will encourage the female gender in politics will be embraced by her gender.
She also advocates for a grassroot participation in Politics lauding The Alternative for the initiative.
The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Right Advocate, Hon. Bright Ngola, said a strong opposition candidate in the 2027 election will put the ruling party on their toes.
Our correspondent reports that there was a panel of discussants amongst stakeholders to analyse the country’s political journeys and to fashion a way forward.
