By Diana Omueza
Abuja, May 23, 2022
National Rescue Movement (NRM) says it has no plan to merge with any other political party, ahead the 2023 general elections.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola Afuye.
Afuye assured all those vying for different elective positions from the party to continue with their consultations, ahead of its primaries.
“It is important to bring to the notice of everyone about a publication on the purported merger of some political parties.
“The agents of distraction spreading such news deliberately included the name of our great party: National Rescue Movement because of our recent growth.
“The leadership of our great party hereby calls on all our ever-conscious members, followers and partners on our genuine ‘Rescue Nigeria Project’ to disregard such malicious reports.
“This is an attempt to derail our moving train that is heading toward Aso Rock in 2023. We are resolute on this, as we are not ready to settle for less.
“We have issued such groups and any other faceless group behind this unholy merger or alliance, as the case may be, to desist from this campaign of calumny or else we shall meet in a court of law.
“The National Rescue Movement is not in any alliance or having such plans, ahead of 2023 elections,” he said.
Afuye noted that the party’s primaries, scheduled for June 1 and June 2 remain sacrosanct.
He said that the party was confident of fielding candidates in all the positions for the 2023 general elections, including the presidential election.
This, according to the NRM spokesman, is part of the party’s social contract with the people of Nigeria, maintaining that this was not negotiable.
He appreciated the party’s followers, supporters and Nigerians in general for their support, guidance and advice.
Meanwhile, Mr. Okwudili Anyajike, presidential aspirant of the NRM, has advised Nigerians to vote wisely by electing credible leaders in the 2023 general elections.
Anyajike said this when he addressed newsmen shortly after he obtained expression of interest and nomination form in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, no party or politician can genuinely change Nigeria if the masses do not willingly give them the opportunity to do so.
“For Nigeria to really be rescued, restored and revived, the masses must vote rightly for candidates that they have truly assessed to be worth it.
“No politician or political party is mighty enough to win an election without the support of the masses.
“So I am going to rely on the goodwill of the masses to contest and win in the 2023 general elections.
“I am not scared of any politician, or the two most popular political parties, instead what anyone should be scared of are the masses and the power to elect,’’ he said..
Anyajike said that he chose to run on NRM platform because it has the followership of the masses being a grassroots party, with young professionals.
He said that he plans to launch the “The Nigerian Project”, to reduce the cost of living in the country and enhance economic growth, if elected.
He promised to create job opportunities to tackle unemployment, solve hunger and starvation and bring insecurity to its barest minimum.
Similarly, Mr. Maina Aliyu-Abba, an Adamawa Governorship aspirant on the NRM platform promised to focus on youths and women development if elected.
Aliyu-Abba urged Nigerians to get registered in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration in order not to be disenfranchised during the election.
Malam Idris Isah, National Organising Secretary of the party urged both aspirants to adhere strictly to the laid down rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in pursuing their ambition.
