CACOL Attacks Obasanjo’s ‘Third Force’, Says Corrupt Elements Opposing Buhari’s Re-election

A civil society organisation, Centre for Anti -Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has described those opposing President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019 as corrupt elements.

CACOL’s statement comes barely a week after former President Olusegun Obasanjo indicted the Buhari regime of ineptness.

Obasanjo had proposed the Coalition For Nigeria Movement (CNM) which he described as the ‘THIRD FORCE’ that will free Nigeria from the domination of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting apparently to Obasanjo’s proposed political movement, CACOL’s Chairman, Debo Adeniran, said in a statement on Thursday, that the call for Buhari’s retirement in 2019 is a case of corruption fighting back.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Adeniran said the corrupt persons calling for the president’s ousting “knew it was no more business as usual’’ as Buhari is “leaving no breathing space for treasury looters.’’

The CACOL Chairman said, “When you fight corruption, corruption fights back. Some of the recent voices condemning the president and asking him not to seek re-election are not honest in their assessment of his administration.

“These people are not comfortable with the heat of the anti-corruption war because it is affecting them.

“They know things will continue to be difficult for them with Buhari in power because of their corrupt ways

“That is why they do not want him to finish his first term let alone wanting him to get a second term,’’ said Adeniran.

Meanwhile, civil activists identified with the Obasanjo-proposed movement during its launch on Wednesday.

The activists who spoke under the aegis of the Civil Society and Professionals Coalition for Nigeria (CSPCN) said they were willing and ready to support the political movement’s bid to “bring about the Nigeria of our dreams”.

Speaking at the movement’s launch, spokesperson for CSPCN, Kayode Samuel, said:

“We in the Civil Society and Professional Coalition for Nigeria (CSPCN) have decided to stand up to be counted in this mission and are ready and prepared to join hands with other concerned compatriots to bring about the Nigeria of our dreams – where life is safe and secure, livelihoods guaranteed and the people have confidence in their government.

“Insecurity and poverty roam the land and wrack the people. This has created a climate of uncertainty and fear not just for individual Nigerians but more critically for the entire enterprise of nation-building.

“Today, the country appears to have transited from the domain of bad governance to the zone of a failed state. This has a damaging effect on both public security and citizen well-being.

“This historic duty is even more incumbent on civil society and professionals, who must have a continual interest in the good of society and its smooth functioning. They must now assume a custodial role in the remaking of Nigeria for a better future not only for themselves but also unborn generations”, he said.