‘NIGERIA HAS NEVER REWARDED HARDWORKING PEOPLE’, HON. MUTIU KUNLE OKUNOLA’S NRUF SETS IN MOTION NATIONAL REFERENDUM TO ADDRESS FOUNDATIONAL CHALLENGES • Emphasize ‘unity is non-negotiable’
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Global Convener, New Reformation Unity Forum & All Referendum People – Movement (NRUF/ARP-M), Hon. Mutiu Kunle Okunola – MKO (3rd left); Director, Media/Contact and Mobilisation,
NRUF/ARP-M, Hon. Emmanuel Balogun (3rd right); Director, Planning and Operation, NRUF/ARP-M, Hon. Samuel Thomas (2nd left) and others during the NRUF/ARP-M World Press Conference held at Oregun, Ikeja.
In line with Nigeria’s popular maxim, ‘We have to jaw-jaw rather than war-war’, a progressive movement, New Reformation Unity Forum (NRUF) has set in motion a plan that will culminate in the convocation of a National Referendum in January 2022. This referendum is intended to solve burning issues of secession, agitation from some quarters, unemployment, insecurity of lives and properties so that there would be true democratic governance and 2023 election comes a reality without any lacuna or rancour as unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.
Speaking at a press conference covered by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper, the Global Convener of New Reformation Unity Forum/All Referendum People-Movement (NRUF/ARP-M), Hon. Mutiu Kunle Okunola shared: ‘Nigeria with the present situation cannot move forward without discussion of the regions. The best time, if not too late, is now.’
Global Convener, New Reformation Unity Forum & All Referendum People – Movement (NRUF/ARP-M), Hon. Mutiu Kunle Okunola – MKO (3rd left); Director, Media/Contact and Mobilisation,
NRUF/ARP-M, Hon. Emmanuel Balogun (3rd right); Director, Planning and Operation, NRUF/ARP-M, Hon. Samuel Thomas (2nd left) and others during the NRUF/ARP-M World Press Conference held at Oregun, Ikeja.
The agenda of the progressive movement clearly states that it desires ‘a total disconnection from the past to bring forth a working paper reform towards a dream of A NEW NIGERIA as desired by all irrespective of tribes, religious background and political sentiment. We believe that the Nigerian people need an immediate disconnection from the past systems by opting for our reformation agenda to restructure the country’s fourth republic rules and constitution as a rescue mission to solve the present hardship and unnecessary misrule by colonial mentality.’
Establishing the modus operandi of their activities, the Global Convener, Hon. Okunola said: ‘Our referendum comes January, 1st 2022 to last for 1 month. The first week is arrival of the delegates from all over the world. Members are in Russia, US, UK, and other places. We will mobilize funds to pay people to come down and to call on the best abroad so that they can come up with term paper and communique. Our referendum movement will set off into regions. We will go region by region, state to state, then to local governments.’
‘I am therefore pleased to invite the general public in our proposed transformation national referendum agenda for our dear country Nigeria and Africa at large from the grip of continuous colonialism.’
‘By the time we are done, we will come up with a working document with local contents. We are suggesting 4 tiers of government. Another proposal which we are suggesting is that presidential system should come from ward level to state level while regional to national should have parliamentary system so that people who are coming into government have been elected first before they are appointed rather than you bringing your girlfriend or people who you know to become a Minister or whatever.’
‘This is what we are looking at to reward people because Nigeria has never rewarded hardworking people and that is the reason why we find ourselves where we are today. Professionals are roaming the streets while the dunce because of connection are serving in office. This must stop. It must be changed. This is the essence of our referendum.’
Also present at the press briefing were the Director of Media/Contact and Mobilization of the organization, Hon. Emmanuel Balogun and his counterpart, Director of Planning and Operation, Hon. Samuel Thomas.
