New Political Group Formed by Kalu, Saraki, Bode George, Ribadu, Others

A new political group with membership drawn from the nation's crop of prominent politicians, has been formed. Chaired by the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the group parades an array of over 200 politicians in the country.

They include Senator Gbemisola Saraki who is the vice chairman of the group, Akin Osuntokun (Secretary), a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George. Others are Ambassador Fati Abubakar, Nigeria's former High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and Chris Uche (SAN), Lawal Shuaibu, human rights activist, Uba Sani, Senator Umar Argungu, Olusegun Awolowo, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, and Hon. Yemi Arokodare.

Though yet without an official name, the group that started with 37 members, has been meeting as a non-partisan political organization with the aim of instituting good governance and ensuring the unity of the country.

Sources stated that it has met at least five times in the last few months, in the house of a senator in Maitama, Abuja, adding that the attendance increased with every subsequent meeting. It was gathered that at the latest meeting on Wednesday, over 200 prominent politicians were in attendance. It was learnt that the last five meetings have been used to discuss the state of the nation, especially the issue of insecurity. A source within the group said: "We are concerned about total leadership. We are concerned about the wellbeing of Nigerians and how the leadership treats the followers."

To achieve this, the group, initially known as the G-37, has formed several committees. They include Mobilisation committee that is chaired by Fani-Kayode, with Senator Grace Bent as his deputy; the Finance committee headed by Fafa Dan Princewill; the Media committee chaired by Senator Emmanuel Onwe, with Prof Mahmud Jega as vice chairman; and the Committee on Strategy and Research with Nuhu Ribadu as its chairman.

Sources say the coming of the new political group is connected with the politics towards 2015.

Source:naij