Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo formally registered as a member of the newly-formed Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) on Thursday but said he would pull out should the movement decide to venture into partisan politics.

CNM is the alternative proposed by Obasanjo in his special press statement last week as the platform that would move Nigeria towards path of growth and development since the two major political parties in the country – the PDP and APC – have failed.

Obasanjo urged all Nigerians, “especially youth who have hitherto been feeling marginalised and helpless to go all out and bring friends and families into the CNM fold”.

“The CNM will remain a popular socio-economic Movement open to all Nigerians who believe in the greatness of Nigeria and are ready to contribute to it,” he wrote in another press statement he issued on Thursday.

“I am happy to be a member of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement. The movement is a pressure point towards good governance. This is the commencement for our popular and grassroots association.

“Of course, the membership will be free to collectively decide on whether CNM becomes a political party. If the Movement decides to transform itself and go into partisan politics, I will cease to be a member.

“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians to be made right and the Coalition with others of the same view and like minds will leave no stone unturned to actualise God-given potentials of our country.

“The Movement will spearhead process, programme, policies and priorities to make Nigeria a great country playing its expected roles within West Africa, Africa and the world.”

Obasanjo added that through the CNM, “Nigerian youth will be emboldened, empowered, have employment, and play meaningful and responsible roles in the leadership and governance of the country in all ramifications. Nigerian women will have dignity, responsibility and equal consideration with men in the affairs of Nigeria”.

“The Movement is a means to an end. The end is Nigeria, unshackled, united, dynamic, strong, secure, cohesive, stable, and prosperous at home and respected outside, and as result, able to play decisive roles assertively within the comity of nations,” he said.

“A Nigeria of hope, aspiration and assurances which belongs to all with no sacred cow nor sacrificial lamb is what we want. My Nigeria, your Nigeria and our Nigeria with enchanting present and secure and glorious future.”