Political Movement Reacts To Falana, Agbakoba, Sani Not Being Consulted, Names Steering Council Members

Following media reports of the newly formed movement being dead on arrival with some listed eminent Nigerians saying they weren't consulted before its launch, the National Consultative Front (NCF) has said it is not unmindful of "state agents and Fifth columnists, who will desperately want to break our ranks and truncate this historic intervention for their selfish interests".

NCF explained to AllNews that the group is populated by national leaders of conscience who are currently strategising to rescue Nigeria from imminent political collapse and civil strife, and that the body is essentially a consultative forum for a popular political intervention in Nigeria.

Clarifying  that is yet to transform into a political party as is being widely speculated, NCF said consultations towards the formation and launching of a new popular political movement in the country are ongoing and are expected to be concluded by January 2021 when the emerging movement will be finally launched and inaugurated.

The emergent political group had in a communiqué issued last Wednesday stated that NCF was formed by 30 prominent Nigerian activists, professionals and academics, with the aim of mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Shortly after, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), whose name was mentioned as part of the 30 members, said he was not involved in the newly floated political group, National Consultative Forum. He maintained that neither was he ever consulted on the formation of the group nor did he ever attend the meeting where the forum was launched.

Similarly, Abubakar Umar, a retired colonel and activist; Shehu Sani, a former senator, and Olisa Agabakoba SAN, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said they were not consulted before the political movement called NCF was announced with their names as members. 

Mallam Tanko Yunusa, who issued a statement on behalf of NCF on Saturday, said the National Secretariat shall be convening a major national consultation this weekend with some of the group's allies to ascertain the fact of some reports in the media about them not being duly consulted.

The statement reads, "We therefore wish to reiterate in clear terms that the mandate and task before the NCF at the moment is the mobilisation of all well meaning Nigerians to join forces together to pull Nigeria out of the precipice of failures and political anarchy. So, consultations in that regard are expected to be finalised by January 2021, when the emerging movement is expected to be finally launched and inaugurated as clearly stated in our last communiqué, which also announced the setting up of a provisional leadership to steer and move forward further consultations towards the formation and launching of a new popular political movement by January 2021.

"We are also not unmindful that our sort of Citizens Movement may face its own trials and challenges at some point from possible reactionary machinations of adversarial Agents of the State and Fifth columnists, who will desperately want to break our ranks and truncate this historic intervention for their selfish interests. But we as Leaders of Conscience are deeply convinced and  assured by the fact  that when Conveners and Allies championing a popular initiative remain resolute and steadfast, such intervention always triumph over evil plots and machination's to destabilize the popular objective. 

"Therefore, this group wants all Nigerians assured that issues around the membership of the Interim Steering Council of the NCF shall be fully straightened at the meeting as Conveners and promoters of this great initiative, rather being broken or demoralized by any divisive ploy  have resolved to be more resolute and steadfast in our consultative dealings to save Nigeria, which  is a task that must be done for us at this historical time!

"To this end, we wish to appreciate the great acceptance of this historic movement by Nigerians and wish to commend their unwavering solidarity in terms of the various donations and support received within 48 hours of announcing this political intervention, some of which are office buildings in various parts of the country as well as well as huge social media instruments, which shall be launched after the next meeting of our group.

"Finally, we wish to salute and commend the astuteness and commitment of members of the Interim Steering Council of the NCF under the leadership of Rt Hon Ghali Umar Naaba, Prof Pat Utomi among others like Engr Yabagi Yusuf San, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Comrade Isa Aremu, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, Lady Funke Awolowo, Mallam Shehu Sanni, Barr Dan Nwanyanwu, HC, Peter Ameh, Mallam Tanko Yunusa, Dr Kemi George, Barr Georgina Dakpokpo, Dr Chris Ekiyor, Prof Remi Sonaya, Mallam Hamzat Lawal, Mr Jude Feranmi, Saadatu Falilu Hamu, Comrade Mark Adebayo, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, Hajia Kadijat Abdullahi and Comrade Promise Adewusi of the National Secretariat, for remaining courageous and steadfast to this great vision to save our dear country from the incompetence  and impunity of the ruling political elites, in the face of contending personal risks and sacrifices to save our country, renew its strength and make it claim its promise thereby saving the the country and the black race from a thousand years of servitude."