The redcard movement has said in a statement signed by its co-char, Dr. tony Akubuno that the movement’s endorsement of Atiku/Obi ticket by Redcard CARD Movement (RCM) was the most realistic and pragmatic vehicle to achieve a BUHARI MUST GO plan, is SACROSANCT.
The movement was convened by former Presidential Candidate, Oby Ezelwesili , who cchikened out, had canvassed for a red card for both All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidatess.
I the release signed by Dr. Akabuno, the RCM said “You will recall that last week (Thursday, February 7), MAJORITY of RCM leaders gathered at the Musa Yar’adua centre in Abuja, to address a press conference, where Atiku/Obi ticket was ENDORSED. At the gathering were 33 state leaders of RCM (state champions), some geopolitical zone leaders and co-conveners. The press statement (made available to the media) was unambiguous that MAJORITY of RCM leaders are fully ARTICULATED and we have advised our members and other patriotic Nigerians to ensure they use their PVCs to vote out Buhari and VOTE IN ATIKU on Saturday, February 16.
“Our attention has been brought to an unofficial statement by an unauthorized member of RCM, claiming that we are a faction and ‘dissociating’ the citizens’ movement from the well-attended press conference, that had the CO-CHAIR of RCM, about 90% of state champions and other leaders in attendance. We challenge anyone claiming to be the leader of any faction, to organize for a press conference, so the world will see how many state champions that will be in attendance.
Election is in LESS THAN 48HOURS! We are already on the field, activated at ALL polling units and ready to carry out an ARTICULATED CANVASSING of voters, to deliver Atiku/Obi on Saturday. Those distractors are either in the diaspora or rant on the social media. We advise our members and citizens to IGNORE THEM. We have a job to do.
“As you are aware, Dr Oby Ezekwisili and some other members of BBOG, resigned their leadership and membership of RCM sometime in November, 2018. The movement has since issued public statements to that effect, through our twitter handle (@redcardmng) and the media. There are presently two co-chairs (leaders) of RCM. One is on ground in Nigeria and the other is resident abroad. We challenge anyone that feels otherwise to a TV debate, after the elections.
Red Card Movement was conceptualised with the focus of battling the scourge of bad governance and irresponsible leaders in Nigeria. The movement remains totally committed to issues and not sentiments. We initially had a mantra of Red Card to APC and PDP. But after about a year of consulting with citizens, we took a UNANIMOUS decision during our 1st year anniversary (January 9, 2019) to rejig our mantra to be Red Card to Bad Governance and Irresponsible Leaders. Again, this was made public through the media and our twitter handle. Some persons who resigned to go into full blown presidential campaign, are trying to cause confusion by struggling in vain to stampede a MAJORITY decision not to demonize political parties. Their problem seem to be an unexplained fixated hatred on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a gentleman who has NEVER been indicted for ANY corruption by any court of competent jurisdiction.
Let it be known that approach is a derivative of strategy and pragmatism is the strategy that RCM has adopted via the endorsement of majority of State Champions, co-conveners and other leaders. We have decided to take it upon ourselves to aide in the challenges of the bad governance and irresponsible leadership in real time with respect to 2019 elections and not adopt “A siddon look approach”, as advised by some minority distractors, who may be working with the hopeless intention of returning Buhari to power. They pretend to still be working for the coalition of alternatives, which is already a failed project. Such deceit of highest order!
We find it to be publicly bemusing and utterly misleading that in a time of great National need where Patriots should choose to fight for the very soul of our nation that a few distractors would choose to be docile and limit the impact of RCM to mere empty barking like a toothless bulldog with no capability to save its master. This is not and will never be what RCM’s vision and mission is, and we at RCM absolutely refuse to sit on the fence and watch how our dear country Nigeria is obliterated by incompetence, cluelessness, nepotism, bigotry and despotism of the Buhari led administration.
If one of RCM’s mantra is #MyPVCMyRedCard, then our PVC will be used to vote out Buhari and retire him to Daura. Nature abhors vacuum. Therefore, we will VOTE IN ATIKU (who has never been president before) and be ready to hold him accountable. We have moved round the country and consulted widely. Atiku is the only REALISTIC option that can dislodge Buhari, We at RCM are not covering our eyes with wool and have made this decision in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Never again will any leader be given a second term on the backdrop of poor performance, and we at RCM are heralding and leading this change of political attitude of Nigerians.
“Truer words were never said like these ones below:
“You see, idealism detached from action is just a dream. But idealism allied with pragmatism, with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit, is very exciting. It’s very real. It’s very strong”
—Bono
“Idealism without pragmatism is impotent. Pragmatism without idealism is meaningless. The key to effective leadership is pragmatic idealism.”
—Richard M. Nixon
“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
― Sun Tzu
“We urge our members to be law abiding ALWAYS. Voting is your civic duty. Ensure you use every legitimate means to protect your votes, because we are supporters of a free, fair and credible election.
