Galadima, Oyinloya, Ben Obi… new coalition unveils its leaders

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has inaugurated a 17—man steering committee to pilot its affairs ahead of the 2019 elections.

The coalition, which is made up of some 38 political parties, also inaugurated its new secretariat in Wuse, Abuja on Thursday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some groups including the Reformed—All Progressives Congress (R—APC) to form the coalition ahead of the elections.

They had resolved to present a sole candidate that will unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in the elections.

Among those in the committee inaugurated by Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River state, are Buba Galadima, R—APC national chairman; Ben Obi, prominent PDP chieftain, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun state.

Others are Tom Ikimi, Tunde Adeniran, Peter Ameh, Tanko Yunusa, Olusegun Peters, Georgina Danagogo, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, Sam Eke among others.

The coalition also set up other sub-committees to kick-start its operations, some of which include the strategy, contact/mobilisation, and blueprint/manifesto committees.

Ikimi, who is the chairman of the PDP disciplinary committee, said the coalition will continue to stay immune from external influences.

“There has not been a single crack in the alliance since its formation, despite unsavory attempts by our main opponents, who have deliberately or mischievously attempted to initiate or present non existent cracks in the alliance to the public,” he said.