Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Lee Maeba, has joined force with other prominent Nigerians to float a third force, Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP).
The founders are promising to deliver Nigeria from the present administration headed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Leading the rescue project are former governor of Kwara State, Ahmed Abdulfatai; Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; Usman Bugaje, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Yomi Awoniyi, Dr. Rose Idi Danladi, Dr. Sadiq Gombe, and others.
In his keynote address, Abdulfatai lamented the state of the nation, noting that the high level of nepotism and lack of inclusiveness have given rise to agitations by different ethnic groups.
He said that in 2015, Nigerians embraced change, adding that today that change appears to be what the country didn’t expect, as insecurity has taken over the nation.
“It is based on this that we decided to set up this Rescue Nigeria Project. We want to salvage this country and see how we can fix the mess. We want to set a template, and key criteria leaders must have before they can attain any political position,” he said.
He further said: “Despite the great opportunities of the past, Nigeria has failed to live up to the dreams of its founding fathers and the hopes of successive generations of its citizens.
“Perhaps, at no other time have these failings become more apparent than in the past decade or so.
“2015, Nigerians overwhelmingly embraced the promise of change. These hopes have not only been dashed, but they have arguably turned out to be the worst political mistake that has ever been made in this country. Nigeria today appears set to fulfill all the prophecies of doom.”
Lamenting the intractable insecurity in Nigeria, the former governor also lamented the collapse of the economy despite the claim of government to have risen the country’s GDP.
Abdulfatai said: “Unprecedented nepotism and political exclusion have left the country more divided than ever as evidence in the various separatist agitations that are threatening the corporate existence of the country itself.”
