Political economist Prof Pat Utomi has debunked rumours that he, alongside other prominent Nigerians, are planning to announce the formation of a new political party on October 1 even as former senator, Lee Meaba has dissociated himself from the arrangement.
Utomi has recently been linked in the media with a “third force,” called Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP) to give the electorate an alternative platform to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Apart from Utomi, founders of RNP include former Kwara Governor Ahmed Abdulfatai; former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran; former Cross River Governor Donald Duke; Senator Lee Maeba; former House of Representatives member Usman Bugaje; former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega; Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Yomi Awoniyi, Dr. Rose Idi Danladi and Dr. Sadiq Gombe among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was recently reported as saying that 95 groups have recently applied to be registered as political parties.
But Utomi, who spoke on the sidelines of a press conference announcing winners of the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards organised by the Public Policy Research & Analysis Centre (PPRAC), was hesitant to describe the movement as a political party. He said the group and similar others were more interested in getting competent leaders into office, irrespective of the political party platform.
“No, I don’t think it (Third Force) is going to be a political party. We need to gather some of these movements, moving towards a better society,” Utomi said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lee Maeba, former chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, has dissociated himself from a purported plan to float a new political party ahead of the 2023 general elections. Maeba made the clarification in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, while reacting to a report on the inaugural caucus meeting of the Rescue Nigeria Project( RNP) held on Tuesday.
Maeba said he neither attended nor participated in any discussion or meeting to form a new political party, saying my party remained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .
He said though there is freedom of association, forming or joining another political party was not part of his agenda.
“I am a bona fide member of the PDP . I am comfortable in the party . I have no reason to jump ship, more so when the Gov. Nyesom Wike led PDP administration in Rivers is perpetuating good governance in my state to my ultimate satisfaction.”
Maeba urged Nigerians especially his teaming followers and supporters to disregard any insinuation to that effect. He expressed optimism that the PDP was focused and determined to regain power at the centre in 2023.
Maeba said the PDP would effectively manage the affairs of Nigeria, and for the good of all.
Source: Drumnewsonline with reports from NAN and The Nation
