An attempt by some opposition leaders to establish a formidable group named, National Opposition Movement suffered a setback, almost resulting in a stillbirth, but for the determination of one of its promoters, Otunba Segun Showunmi, to continue with the project.

Signs that the Movement packaged in a hurry, was not firmly grounded emerged on Sunday when one of the alleged sponsors posted a disclaimer dissociating himself from the press conference using his social media handles. That was a few hours after the promotional flier of the Movement was posted on Facebook and X handle of Otunba Sowunmi. Activist and social critic Adeyanju Deji posted a short message: “I have nothing to do with this. Thank you”.

Other known opposition figures including Prof. Odinta Odinta whose photographs were conspicuously displayed distanced themselves from the World Press Conference packaged to give birth to the National Opposition Movement on Monday. The event failed to take off on schedule and the banner for the press conference rather than having six opposition figures had only Otunba Dr. Segun Showunmi alone. In addition, the headline now had Otunba Dr. Segun Showunmi & Friends.

Otunba Showunmi who is the Promoter and Chief Convener of the Movement apologised for starting the event late and explained that he was deceived into believing that the six personalities on the first banner had agreed to join the movement adding that he had called the six personalities to apologise for using their photographs on the banner.

“I blame myself for not checking with them. The issue is, some of them enjoy and love their little empire and this arrangement may not suit them”, he said stressing that: “we are proposing an opposition movement which will not lend itself to chaos. Nigeria as a nation and its citizens cannot be manipulated into crisis by charlatans playing with buzzwords to deceive the citizens into mob action with its attendant consequences”.

Speaking on the birth of the Movement which he Christened: “the Alternative “, Otunba Showunmi said: “The reason for the birth of this movement is the need to rescue our nation and democracy from the danger we see on the horizon.

“Respect for the principle of party supremacy is now at an all-time low. A viable opposition to checkmate the activities of the incumbent government is almost non-existent.”

According to him, there is an urgent need for a platform to engage political actors, national stakeholders, academia, civil society, the media, the political parties themselves, democratic institutions of other nations, and all who can contribute to the wellness and sustainability of our democracy.

While giving further insight into the birth of the National Opposition Movement Coalition, Otunba Showunmi said its establishment has become necessary as it is obvious that those who are elected members of the opposition have not shown the courage to take on the issues that affect the country and the well-being of the masses.

He, however, said the Movement would not evolve into a political party stressing that: “we seek to engage Nigerians and offer guidance on the issues of opposition. We, will embark on advocacy to educate the people on how democracy and electoral outcomes affect them”.

Otunba Showunmi promised that he and his associates shall spend their time and resources on the reorientation of citizens adding that: ” we shall work towards eradicating the menace of trading in votes for a token”.

He disclosed that: “we will move quickly to embark on zonal town hall meetings to engage with the populace and find partners from state to local government and ward levels.

“We are proposing a Zonal Time Table as follows: North Central Zone 7th December 2024, North East Zone 14th December 2024, North West Zone 4th January 2025, South-South Zone 11th January 2025, South East Zone 8th February 2025, South West Zone 15th February 2025”, stressing that: “at each of the zones, compatriots will be encouraged to initiate mobilisation processes and select their leaders to oversee and supervise their local operations”.

Otunba Showunmi who said Nigerians have made some progress with multi-party democracy stressed that we have successfully achieved a transfer of power from one party to another in 2015.

“However, we have watched the enthusiasm of our citizens wane over the years with each election proving to be worse than the previous. This has resulted in regression and a downward loop in terms of turning out on election day.

“We have watched with agony as the clear ideological differences within parties have disappeared, making the choices first about individual personalities and less about values and ideology.

“Sadly now, it is evolving dangerously to just money in a highest bidder heist of the suffrage of the electorate in our beloved country. We have watched the electoral umpire, INEC, improve its guidelines and operational manual.

“Yet, rather than an increase in election integrity, what we see is a progressive lack of integrity and transparency in the electoral process. The judiciary of our country has not been spared as we have observed an unacceptable and dangerous erosion of the integrity of judicial institutions, which ordinarily should provide balance, checkmating institutions of government and protecting the state from a complete collapse.

“We have observed an increase in the activities of thugs, other non-state actors, and violence at play, adding to the challenges of our democracy”, he stressed.