Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is expected to lead some heavyweight politicians in Nigeria to announce the fusion of a new political party as alternative to the APC and PDP.
Political leaders drawn from various political parties and stakeholders of the Third Force Movement will launch the new mega party next week.
Those expected to launch the political platform include Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Usman Bugaje, Engr Musa Rabiu Kwakwanso, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Senator Sule Hunkuyi, Senator Saidu Dansadau, (Chairman, NRM); Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu (Chairman, ADC); Hadjia Najatu Mohammed, Prof Remi Sonaiya, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Prof Osita Ogbu; Dr Sadiq Gombe; Comrade Promise Adewusi; Chief Akin Braithwaite; Arc Ezekiel Nya Etok; Lady Khadija Okunnu-Lamidi; and Comrade Olawale Okunniyi among others.
The leaders took the decision during a national retreat to consummate the formation of an alternative democratic people’s mega party, on Sunday, in Lagos.
Other key partners in the fusion process are Rescue Nigeria Project, RNP; Nigeria Intervention Movement, NIM; Strategic Elements of the Civil Society Movement; Youths’ EndSars Movement, National Rescue Movement, NRM; and African Democratic Congress, ADC.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
