A PDP Chieftain and the National Coordinator, National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC) , codenamed “The Alternative”, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has vowed to end the attitudes that on a daily basis and every election cycle divides the country, for parochial gains.
Showunmi said if these attitudes are not stopped, the country will continue to toe the path of economic decay, and the long trajectory of misrule it has found itself.
Recall that on the 25th of November 2024, Showunmi, former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, launched the National Opposition Movement Coalition, aimed at reviving Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking in Bauchi yesterday during a North East Town Hall meeting, domesticated to herald the new platform (The Alternative), in the region, to champion a departure from the old ways, Showunmi advocated for political reorientation as the only means to salvage the country.
“The Alternative”,is not a political platform he said, but will only be used to educate Nigerians to shun the old ways of politicking and embrace a contemporary ideology as obtained in the developed countries.
He said if the old politicians will not stop digging the country backwards with their divide and rule syndrome, then “The Alternative”, will have no choice than to campaign for more credible candidates irrespective of the platform.
“This is our mission. We are determined to redirect this country so that posterity will judge us right. What type of country should we bequeath to our children if we don’t get it right now.
“There was a generation that fought the colonial masters to give us independence, another generation fought the military to give us democracy, what is this generation fighting for?”
He advocated that for “The Alternative”, to achieve its purpose of redirecting Nigerians towards credible candidates in 2027, a more united countrymen must participate actively in the electoral process.
According to him: “The attitude that makes Nigeria seem like it is not one country has to go. This nation is one, and there is enough evidence to prove it.
“From our culture to our traditions, the similarities outweigh the differences. Even language, which some consider a dividing factor, is only a means of communication. We must reject division and celebrate our unity as Nigerians.”
“In 2023, despite 93 million registered voters and collected PVCs, only 8 million votes were enough to install the president. This is a stark reminder that many Nigerians are not exercising their civic responsibilities. This disengagement, coupled with vote buying and selling, erodes the promise of democracy,” he noted.
“This is not about political parties. I am still a member of the PDP but this movement is about the people and the need for collective action. We must educate and sensitise ourselves, hold meaningful conversations, and rebuild trust in the democratic system”, he said.
On her part, Hajiya Maimuna Ahmed of the National Women PDP Northern Awareness Forum, commended the initiative, highlighting its inclusivity and the importance of engaging Nigerians without focusing on political affiliations.
“This engagement isn’t about partisan politics but about capturing the voice of all Nigerians,” she said.
“I also call on women to actively participate in such initiatives geared toward nation-building. Women have a crucial role to play in shaping the future of this country.”
Hon. Usman Kafa, a former member of the Gombe State House of Assembly, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of leadership and developmental issues.
“We must voice our concerns about developmental challenges, especially leadership,” he said.
“This is not the time to exchange votes for foodstuffs. The North East must rise above such politics and advocate for good leadership that prioritizes the people’s welfare. Political awareness must grow in our region, and we must all join our thoughts and efforts to build the nation.”, he said.
The Bauchi event was part of a series of zonal town hall meetings organized by the National Opposition Movement Coalition to foster dialogue and collaboration across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, our correspondent reports.