TakeItBack Movement Clarifies Our position on the Selection Process for Youth Consensus Candidacy

TakeItBack Movement believes that a united front comprising of all parties and organizations committed to reclaiming Nigeria from the APC and PDP is necessary.

We enthusiastically supported Sowore’s participation in the July 31st meeting of youth candidates, where he relayed the position of our movement to PACT (Presidential Aspirants Coming Together) about our commitment to a United Front.

We have now had three weeks since that initial forum to assess our association with PACT and the alignment of our engagement to the ideals of our movement.

In the three weeks since that first meeting our convener participated in, we have had an opportunity to assess the impact of PACT.

POSITIVE FACTORS

1. Extension of INEC registration: We salute the support that PACT gave to the effort to extend voter registration. The success of this effort demonstrates the importance of having a unified voice.

CONCERNING FACTORS

1. Lack of participation in INEC protest action: PACT committed to support a direct protest on the planned suspension of voter registration on August 17th. While Sowore and the TIB Movement committed ourselves to the agreed action, only one of the other PACT participants joined in the protests at the INEC office.

2. Lack of participation in active advocacy for release of jailed journalist: The PACT meeting of August 16th took place at the same time that a protest against the arrest of the PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe, was being held. While Sowore and TIB were engaged in principled protest action at the Police HQ, many of the PACT members remained silent on the critical question of press freedom, which we believe is a crucial pillar for a vibrant democracy. While some later tweeted their support for press freedoms, we were disappointed that more wasn’t done as a collective.

We are particularly concerned by the proposed consensus candidate selection process that has been agreed to by PACT. Our major concerns are as follows:

1. Concerns about Commitment to support ANY consensus candidate that emerges: We note that several of the members of PACT belong to CUPP or are members of the PDP. As a movement, we cannot commit to a process that would require that our movement should support ANY candidate with direct or indirect ties to the PDP.

2. Concerns that the selection process excludes the Nigerian people: As a progressive movement we believe the Nigerian people should have a say in who their leaders should be. Instead of a process that places the fate of Nigerians in the hands of less than twenty people, we recommend a process that allows the Nigerian people to participate in the selection of a consensus candidate.

OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE WAY FORWARD TO A DEMOCRATIC CONSENSUS

1. Continue with party primaries: The 17 youth presidential candidates belong to about 6 political parties, including PDP, YPP, ANN, ANRP, AAC and others. After the party primaries, which must all end by October 7th, based on the INEC timetable, the number of contestants would have been reduced through a democratic process to no more than 6 candidates

2. Evaluate strength of party organization through the congresses and party convention: A consensus youth candidate that will defeat the APC and PDP must have a formidable level of support, structure and organization. The party primaries will allow Nigerians to observe the organizational capabilities of all the candidates.

3. Coalition Building Efforts are Continuing: We have continued to drive forward with our efforts for a United Front, not just with PACT, but with other political parties and organizations. We are glad to announce that Change Nigeria Party (CNP) is now part of our Coalition. Talks are ongoing with two additional parties - NCP and NAC.

In conclusion, we restate our commitment to a United Front and to a democratic and inclusive process for reclaiming Nigeria.

Nigeria MUST progress !

Seun, lalasticlala, Myndd44, the post on FP is misleading, Sowore did not participate in the selection process. This was and has been our official position on the issue.

Sowore did not participate in the process of chosen Fela Durotoye, he only participated in the inaugural meeting and was not a signatory to the PACT proposal of 14th August 2018, which outline the selection process.

The Book of Chronicles, Chapter Sowore Vs PACT. Written by Adeyeye Olorunfemi

For the avoidance of doubt and to clear the air about some claims that Sowore is claiming a larger-than-life status, it is important to state that neither Sowore nor the TakeItBack Movement is scared of a Selection Process for a Consensus Candidate to lead the revolutionary charge of over 100 million young people of Nigeria. But our perspective to this United Front remains that people must be guided ideologically. We are not 'entitled' to power because we are young. We must TAKE power because we are responsible and we would be responsible for it.

It is in this clarity, I would highlight the actions and inactions of the Movement chronologically.

- *The Movement dodged the CUPP bullet by refusing to answer the call of 5 member parties who were calling tirelessly for Sowore to declare under their platforms.*

- *The Movement ALLOWED its Convener to be part of the PACT Meeting of July 31st.*

- *The Convener, Omoyele Sowore portrayed the qualities of a leader who is not bigger than the Movement by giving a report of the meeting to the Movement.*

- *Weeks after, the Working Committee of TiB then released a Statement citing concerns about the selection process and giving recommendations to PACT on how best this working alliance could serve the oppressed Nigerians who are yearning for good representation.*

- *PACT never replied to address these concerns. Instead an article titled 'Is Sowore working to destabilize the 2019 Youth Consensus Agenda?' rented the air.*

- What were the concerns raised?

1. *Concerns about Commitment to support ANY consensus candidate that emerges: We note that several of the members of PACT belong to CUPP or are members of the PDP. As a movement, we cannot commit to a process that would require that our movement should support ANY candidate with direct or indirect ties to the PDP.*

2. *Concerns that the selection process excludes the Nigerian people: As a progressive movement we believe the Nigerian people should have a say in who their leaders should be. Instead of a process that places the fate of Nigerians in the hands of less than 20 people.*

- What recommendations were given ?

OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE WAY FORWARD TO A DEMOCRATIC CONSENSUS

1. *Continue with party primaries: The 17 youth presidential candidates belong to about 6 political parties, including PDP, YPP, ANN, ANRP, AAC and others. After the party primaries, which must all end by October 7th, based on the INEC timetable, the number of contestants would have been reduced through a democratic process to no more than 6 candidates.*

2. *Evaluate strength of party organization through the congresses and party convention: A consensus youth candidate that will defeat the APC and PDP must have a formidable level of support, structure and organization. The party primaries will allow Nigerians to observe the organizational capabilities of all the candidates.*

3. *Coalition Building Efforts are Continuing: We have continued to drive forward with our efforts for a United Front, not just with PACT, but with other political parties and organizations. We are glad to announce that Change Nigeria Party (CNP) is now part of our Coalition. Talks are ongoing with two additional parties - the radical section of NCP and NAC.*

In my understanding , the Movement maintained that to have a Consensus Candidate that would rebel against these old guards, such candidate must show capacity and political capital.
This must be a candidate that can mobilize 1000 people without sweating or paying through his or her nose.
This should not be a candidate that can't attend his party Congress for the fear of a 'masquerade'.

Great Nigerian Youths! It is not for us to rejoice that the United Front isn't working NOW. Maybe ww do not know. We are not doing either Sowore or any other young aspirant a 'favour' by supporting them. Remember it is OUR COUNTRY and FUTURE.

Now that the cards are scattered, I am of the opinion that for a United Front, we would have to go back to the drawing board considering the above recommendations of the TakeItBack Movement open-mindedly.

Haven been the seer in the political sphere for some time now, Sowore should be trusted by Nigerians for his discerning mind to deliver good governance.
By now we should be sure that he would always be AWARE unlike Buhari.

Sowore is working for tinubu to split youths vote so count him out any PACT... ma nigga is strictly on a mission

Yorubaangel:
Sowore is working for tinubu to split youths vote so count him out any PACT... ma nigga is strictly on a mission

I'm sure your are learned, prove your allegations, provide links to backup your claim. Sowore has no other platform aside Sahara Reporters.

so many Nigerian youths are gullible, the lack sound memory.... sowere is more like a tug, and does not have what it takes to be president, he does things on contract, he works for APC, we can't forget in a hurry how he tried to blackmail Apostle Suleman Johnson before the truth sprang out even the lady confessed that she was paid to blackmail the man of God. We know how he blackmailed Good luck Jonathan, there are other cases of blackmail credited to sowere and his Sahara reporters..... forget sowere, Moghalu is the real deal

Yorubaangel:
Sowore is working for tinubu to split youths vote so count him out any PACT... ma nigga is strictly on a mission

When I read from people like you, I feel pained. The race is a cursed race with likes of you.

Hfavored:
so many Nigerian youths are gullible, the lack sound memory.... sowere is more like a tug, and does not have what it takes to be president, he does things on contract, he works for APC, we can't forget in a hurry how he tried to blackmail Apostle Suleman Johnson before the truth sprang out even the lady confessed that she was paid to blackmail the man of God. We know how he blackmailed Good luck Jonathan, there are other cases of blackmail credited to sowere and his Sahara reporters..... forget sowere, Moghalu is the real deal

Hi, can you explain how he work for APC and provide evidences?

The details of the contracts and how he implement them?

On Apostle Suleiman, provide how Sowore did the blackmail and your perceived reason to why he did it? Or is it because he made Sahara Reporters platform available to air Stephanie Otobo's view, he is complicit?
Maybe we should start accusing seun for allowing Nairaland available for different accommodate different views or Zuckerberg for allowing people share their views on Facebook.

Grow up man and stop sharing baseless views and opinion