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Kanu, Faseun, others form group to screen presidential aspirants
By Clifford Ndujihe
IT has often been said that Nigerians know more about President George Bush of the United States (U.S.) or Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain than their leaders.
Reason: The Nigeria political system makes it possible for candidates to get to power without much campaigns and interaction with the electorate.
To redress the trend, eminent Nigerians and pro-democracy activists are re-grouping with the intention of merging the civil society and civil populace in the country.
Led by Dr. Frederick Faseun, the group known as the Civil Society Movement for Credible Leadership in Nigeria (CSM), has in its fold notable leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought against the military regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Members of the new body include Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), Chief Meshack Umeike, Guy Ikokwu, Tony Nwaezeigwe and Felix Oboagwina.
Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, Fasehun, the protem chairman said the group hoped "to provide the guidance for Nigerians to decide who the crown fits and who will come forward and wear it."
In a statement titled: "Agenda 2007; Whom The Crown Will Fit," Faseun said the CSM would soon sponsor a live television programme to which presidential aspirants would be invited "to defend their past, personality, programmes."
He said the five years of President Olusegun Obasanjo "have shown that even the most benevolent dictator is far from being good enough."
Fasehun disclosed that they opted for the group because the country was at the crossroads of its political future. "Should the presidency revert to the North or rotate towards the East? Should we settle for a truly civilian President this time around or should the country tolerate another retired General?"
Lamenting that the country had witnessed little or no growth since independence 44 years ago, Fasehun said: "Experience shows that the recycling of de-uniformed soldiers in power leaves the country at the mercy of their macho and authoritarian outlook to statesmanship and politics."
The group said the television programme was to help enthrone a president that would be sensitive to the feelings and opinions of the masses.
"The person must not have amassed personal wealth at the expense of the people; not have record of ethnic, religious or sectional partisanship; not have been associated with, aided or abetted any anti-democratic institution or policies among others," he said.
In an answer to a question on alleged plots of the president to go for a third term of five years, Fasehun said Obasanjo could not contemplate it.
"If he does so, he will have the entire civil society of this country to contend with," he warned.
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