Date Published: 10/25/09

PRESS STATEMENT

Sunday, 25 October, 2009

Mega Movement backs Labour, opposition leaders' parley

The leadership of the Mega Movement has expressed its support for the planned protest march of labour and civil society fixed for Thursday in Abuja, just as it applauded the initiative by the northern trio of Gen Muhamadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa to mobilize key opposition leaders into the proposed mega party.

Nigeria Labour movement in concert with the Civil society is planning a major protest march on Thursday in Abuja to demand from government popular electoral reform among other concerns, while the National Democratic Initiative, a new platform set up by 23 northern leaders will be hosting a major  consultative meeting this week in Abuja to strengthen the ongoing process to form a mega political alternative in the country.

According to Alhaji Hamisu San Turaki the spokesperson of the Mega Summit Movement, the movement secretariat has already mandated a high powered  tactical team to give solidarity to labour while participating in the protest march to the national assembly on Thursday.

Addressing the press on Sunday in Abuja, Turaki said the move by the National Democratic Initiative is strategic, mobilizing and complimentary rather than divisive or undermining the ongoing mega process initiated by Elder statesman Anthony Enahoro as some stakeholders apprehended last week. He said a similar initiative will be launched in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria next week

“These initiatives are geared towards mobilizing sufficient support for the forthcoming national summit of democrats, and the formation of the mega alternative force to move the country forward. This is in line with the agreement of Mega Summit stakeholders last month in Lagos. So, the aim is to restore unity and harmony to the ranks of democrats in the current march towards a great alternative political force”

On the feasibility of having a formidable mega party before the 2011 elections, Turaki said the secretariat of the mega movement is already in interface with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC towards establishing the Mega Alliance for Nigeria, MAN,  with strong structures to man (protect) the votes and mandate of the people.

Alternatively, he said any of the allied political parties can also serve as a platform for mega fusion at the next elections. He however disclosed that the presidential candidate of  the mega party, set to be launched at the forthcoming National Summit on 23 and 24 November, can emerge from any geo political zone in the country with the most popular candidate in the party.

Signed

Olubori Obafemi

Media Assistant

Mega Summit Movement