By Israel Adamu
Political stakeholders in Katsina State yesterday embraced the new political movement, “The Alternative”, piloted by the Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Showunmi, asking him to return to the State for a ‘show of force’.
Recall that “The Alternative” under the aegis of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), was launched in Abuja, November 26, 2024, with a mandate to rescue the country’s democracy.
The Convener, Sowunmi, had hinted that the coalition would not evolve into a political party but would serve as a civic platform.
Haven toured the North-Central region, North-East, South-South, South-East and some parts of North-West, last year and earlier this year, The Alternative continued its Town Hall Meeting on Sunday in the Katsina State, the northwestern region.
Agog by the train stopping in Katsina and convinced by the message of hope in search for a credible leader come 2027, stakeholders in the State compelled Sowunmi to fix a date for a “mother of show of force”.
Earlier, Sowunmi, who spoke at the Town Hall Meeting, said building organic followers takes time and effort, appreciating the crowd for turning out en masse and embracing the movement.
“You cannot win by assuming numbers will just be added up”, Sowunmi said.
According to him: “There is science to this craft. We have crossed the bridge.
“Katsina has produced great men that have contributed to the evolution of the country’s democracy and it has become incumbent on us to do it again. We shall not let each other down.
“The Alternative is about us all. We cannot continue to complain, but rather use the platform to project a leader who we all have agreed to lead us in future elections”, he said.
Sowunmi said this is the fourth time he is coming to Katsina to engage, demonstrating his love for the people of the region, adding that “it is the person that cares for the child that the child listens to”.
He said he checked the acceptability of President Bola Tinubu in the region, saying those who boast without research will be shocked.
“I drove from Kano through the various local governments almost like one doing mapping before enumeration and I can only laugh.
“Oh Lord, don’t let Nigeria regress”, Sowunmi pleaded.
On the issue of insecurity, the NOMC Convener besieged them not to relent in praying to Allah to prevail over the wickedness of those perpetuating evil.
Sowunmi thought the gathering a special prayer to beg Allah to end the killing, our correspondent reports.
