Obasanjos third force technocrats politicians #
You're referring to the "Third Force" movement in Nigerian politics, which was championed by Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, during his second term in office (1999-2007).
The "Third Force" was a political movement aimed at creating a new political platform that would bridge the gap between the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). The movement sought to attract technocrats, politicians, and other professionals who were not affiliated with either of the two major parties.
Obasanjo's vision for the "Third Force" was to create a platform that would be free from the corrupting influences of politics and focused on good governance, transparency, and accountability. He believed that this new platform would attract a new generation of leaders who were committed to serving the country and not just pursuing personal interests.
Some of the key features of the "Third Force" movement included:
- Technocratic leadership: Obasanjo wanted to attract technocrats and professionals who had no prior political experience but had expertise in various fields.
- Merit-based appointments: The movement aimed to appoint individuals based on their merit and qualifications, rather than their political affiliation or connections.
- Anti-corruption drive: The "Third Force" movement was committed to fighting corruption and promoting transparency and accountability in government.
- Focus on development: The movement prioritized economic development, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs.
However, the "Third Force" movement ultimately failed to gain traction, and Obasanjo's efforts to create a new political platform were met with resistance from both the PDP and ANPP. Many of the technocrats and politicians who were attracted to the movement were either co-opted by the existing parties or failed to gain significant support from the electorate.
Despite the failure of the "Third Force" movement, Obasanjo's efforts to promote good governance and anti-corruption reforms had a lasting impact on Nigerian politics. His administration implemented several reforms aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, including the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).