THE RESCUE NIGERIA PROJECT (RNP): WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR:

THE IDEA

The Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP) is a political movement convened by a group of like-minded Nigerians who are not prepared to sit and watch their only country being rundown by rogue politics, that has in last two decades only multiplied poverty, escalated insecurity, deepened corruption, destroyed institutions and perverted our values. The bleeding of this country just has to be stopped, soon enough to enable us to have a country. Members of the RNP, regardless of their current political party affiliations, are committed to rescuing the country from its prevailing precarious situation; to chart a new course towards building a new Nigeria for all Nigerians; to rebuild our national unity and cohesion and to restore the value and dignity of the Nigerian citizenship. The RNP is determined to move this country away from the ‘politics of big men’ to the ‘politics of big ideas’, for it believes that in the 21^st century, knowledge is the greatest capital. The RNP would wish to be known by its ideas and innovative solutions to the many problems of this country than by any big men and women who may find their way into their midst. 

THE PREMISE 

The premise is that our country is on a dangerous trajectory and when you reduce the many and varied problems of this country to what they are, ultimately, it all comes to leadership. And we have been unable to exit the leadership conundrum precisely because the leadership recruitment mechanism and processes in our political parties are so flawed that, except for accidents, they are incapable of producing competent leaders with the requisite knowledge, character, discipline and commitment to make a difference. For nearly two decades we have been groaning under the consequences of this folly. What this means is that any attempt to rescue this country from its troubles must first rescue it from the current leadership recruitment mechanism that seems to leverage on money and connection or ethnic sentiments and no premium on knowledge or competence. The challenge is how to introduce a set of criteria or better still re-calibrate the recruitment mechanism in our political parties to prioritise knowledge, competence and character. 

THE THEORY OF CHANGE

The RNP is leveraging on a change in the current leadership recruitment mechanism to ensure that a more knowledgeable, patriotic, competent, credible and courageous leadership, at all levels of governance, emerges to lead the taxing process of re-building Nigeria. The RNP recognizes that in the real world no one gets what he deserves; one gets only what he/she negotiates for and the currency of this negotiation is power. Luckily power has multiple sources; it can be political, economic, military; it can also be moral, intellectual and demographic. In a democracy, demographic power would appear to be the most potent. The RNP will seek to harvest this demographic power, to demand for an introduction of set criteria for different levels of leadership. Ultimately the RNP will consider using those existing political platforms that agree to prioritize knowledge, competence and character to contest power, rectify our politics and rebuild our country, boost its economy and provide jobs for our teeming youth. Indeed inclusive development requires informed, competent, credible and courageous leadership.

VISION:

To reconcile and re-unite our country, win and deploy political power for the purpose of nation building and National development; securing the country; protecting life and property; making Nigeria competitive, creating prosperity for all; restoring the dignity of every Nigerian citizen and respect for Nigeria in the comity of nations.

MISSION:

To appeal to our sense of patriotism and survival instinct, to mobilize the nation, to build a critical mass of citizens capable of driving real and effective political transformation; to translate the mass movement into a strong power base within an inclusive and responsive political framework to ensure that the next political leadership has the knowledge, character and competence to solve the pressing problems of this country and deliver on development. And to subsequently ensure that knowledge, competence, integrity and courage, become the key criteria in contesting and/or holding political and/or public office at all levels and tiers of government, so that Nigeria can survive and thrive.

CORE VALUES:

1. ETHICS AND PROBITY IN LEADERSHIP: The RNP believes that ethics and values are at the heart of creating a national culture for responsible leadership to thrive. It is the character of leaders that drives their delivery.
2. KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE: The RNP  Shall give due consideration to issues of eligibility; competence, integrity, capacity and courage amongst others as  the norm and primary basis for leadership recruitment at all levels and tiers of government.
3. PATRIOTISM, SELFLESSNESS AND SERVICE: The RNP recognizes and believes that every great country was built on a foundation of selflessness, patriotism and sacrifice, above all other interests and considerations. Therefore, RNP believes that politics should be driven by the selfless desire and passion to serve others and bring the greater happiness to the greater number of people,
4. INCLUSIVENESS, FAIRNESS AND EQUITY: The RNP believes in inclusive governance, where every Nigerian citizen is given equal opportunity without being disadvantaged or privileged on account of religion, region, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation or any other such considerations. The management of our diversity is key to our unity and national cohesion.
5. COURAGE: the strength of character that will allow leaders to take bold decisions at crucial moments. The RNP believes the courage to do the right thing at the right time is what should define leadership.

AREAS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH NIGERIANS:

Pursuant to its Core values and Cardinal Principles, the RNP shall focus on the following Key topical issues in its engagement with Nigerians: 

1. Leadership Recruitment Criteria; 
2. Strengthening Institutions and Good Governance;
3. Peace and Security;
4. Restructuring and Nation-Building;
5. Infrastructural Development;
6. Economy, Job creation and Prosperity;
7. Human Capital Development; 
8. Youth, Gender and physically challenged Inclusiveness;
9. National Cohesion and National Unity.

POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION:

The process of this national engagement will involve series of conferences and rallies around the country where Nigerians with different expertise will make presentations on the innovative solutions to the major problems of this country. These presentations will go through evaluation and editing and compiled to produce the RNP policy document to guide those seeking for political offices and to set standards by which citizens will demand their elected officials to implement.

 LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENT CRITERIA AND GOOD GOVERNANCE:   

 The RNP in line with its Mission to ensure that only persons who satisfy the key criteria for leadership recruitment shall be eligible to contest and/ or hold public office at all levels and tiers of government, will develop the appropriate metrics for these criteria. These will be shared widely for citizens to engage with those who may come out seeking their votes for political offices. 

The RNP shall, in line with its Core Values, set the following as minimum requirements for selecting any person aspiring to any elective or appointive Leadership position at all levels:

1. Character,
2. Knowledge.
3. Competence,
4. Probity, 
5. Experience,
6. Accommodation,
7. Team playing.

IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN THE NEED FOR A NEW TRAJECTORY, A NEW HOPE AND A NEW FUTURE, THEN COME JOIN US TO BUILD A BETTER NIGERIA!!

NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE 

THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT,

AMMAH HOUSE, 

Yakubu Pam street 

Central Business District 

ABUJA

November, 2021.