‘We are the authentic Coalition for Nigeria’ — group claims Obasanjo copied its name

A group known as the Coalition for Nigeria (CN) has accused ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo of using its name to launch his ‘Third Force’ known as the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM).

On Thursday, Obasanjo unveiled the CNM in Abeokuta, Ogun state after the movement had been launched in Abuja on Wednesday.

Subsequently, Sabo Odeh, national coordinator of CN, addressed a press conference to announce that his group is the “authentic Coalition for Nigeria”.

Odeh said the CN, unlike Obasanjo’s group, is made up of Nigerians who have the “best intentions” for the nation.

“Our coalition is not limited to creating a backdoor for retired and tired politicians to install puppets in government for the purpose of continuing to loot the treasury while ruling by impunity as had been experienced in the past,” he said

“The Coalition for Nigeria, having the best intentions of our dear nation at heart, is careful to go about effecting change in a way that does not jeopardise the stability and safety of Nigeria.

“There is nothing to be gained in burning our country in the name of seeking improvement; the reforms we all desire are achievable through persuasion, consensus building and collaboration without resorting to inflammatory acts and utterances as we have seen with some people.

“Our coalition is made up of Nigerians that yearn for a better country with the firm belief that the dismantling of the infrastructure for corruption is a necessary first step that ensure that we can then build the country on a solid foundation that provides level playing field to all citizens.

“The authentic Coalition for Nigeria will continue to pursue the noble objective of having credible persons to drive the Nigerian project irrespective of differences pertaining to class, ethnicity, religious or political affiliation.”