Leading third force political parties under a new name, Alliance for People’s Trust, have ratified a new pact during the National Convention and presidential primaries convened by People’s Trust on Saturday in Lagos.
The National Convention and presidential primaries produced legal icon and foremost pro democracy activist, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and a fresh breed energy expert and political strategist, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as National Chairman and Presidential Candidate respectively
The historic convergence of the fresh breed leaders of the Nigerian third force movement, which had massive presence of youth and women folks, also witnessed horse trading as the presidential aspirant of People’s Trust and grand daughter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Funke Awolowo, stepped down for Olawepo-Hashim, who had initially been endorsed as the Presidential Candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria earlier in the week
In his acceptance speech, the Niger State born oil and gas expert said he as a detribalized, pan Nigerianist is ready to lead the new ballot driven-PVC revolution of the third force movement for a new democratic Nigeria come 2019 as he would not spare the corrupt system and culture foisted on the country by forces of exploration.
Olawepo-Hashim also pledged to submit himself to the new pact to rescue Nigeria of third force parties as he is well endowed to lead fresh breed political leaders in the country to victory in 2019.
Similarly, while stepping down for Olawepo-Hashim, Awolowo promised to rally massive support from the South West and women in Nigeria for him.
The high points of the national convention and presidential primaries were the elections of substantive national executives of APT to be Chaired by Agbakoba, change of name of the People’s Trust as the umbrella political party of the third force to APT as well as change its logo from being a “pyramid” to “a hand of victory sign in green, white and yellow flag” as well as the handing over of APT flag to Olawepo-Hashim to represent the third force in the 2019 elections
The national convention was attended by apex leaders of other allied political parties and movement, including Dr. Jay Osi Samuels, founding Chairman of ANN; Mallam Nasser Kura, National Secretary of APT; Comrade Isa Tijani, Deputy National Chairman of ANN; Lady Funke Awolowo, who was later elected the Treasurer of APT; Che Olawale Okunniyi, DG of Nigeria Intervention Movement and governorship flag bearer of APT in Ogun State; Chief Olivia Agbajoh, a Second Republic federal legislator and senatorial candidate of APT in Delta State; and Hon Musibahu Jarfaru from Kano State.