TCM Southwest Holds Strategic Zonal Convergence, Charts Bold Path Toward Good Governance in Nigeria
A political movement, The Collective Movement (TCM), in a renewed move to strengthen its grassroots mobilization and expand political education campaign in Nigeria held its maiden Southwest convergence on Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Ibadan
The National Chairman of the movement, Dr Dayo Kayode, charged the participants to emancipate themselves from mental slavery as non but themselves can free themselves; from there.
He reiterated the purpose of the conference to strengthen the TCM structures at the zonal level with a view to free the people from the claws of transactional leaders.
He noted that the leaders of TCM in Nigeria are people with passion for a cohesive, inclusive and prosperous nation who have seen the plight of people at the grassroots and as such has volunteered to serve as grassroots voice to the elite class in political offices and other positions of authority in Nigeria.
The chairman urged Nigerians, especially youths to embrace a collective voice preached by TCM against buying of votes to ensure good governance in Nigeria.
The theme of the conference was, “Organically Mobilising and Enlightening the People for Their Economic and Political Emancipation”.
He reiterated that TCM should not be seen as another political party, but a movement of Nigerians eager to see a new Nigeria that would work for all citizens.
According to him, TCM will not only mobilise people organically without any financial inducement but also raise citizens’ understanding in choosing the right people to positions of authority in future elections.
“If we can show our strength as citizens, we can easily determine who should represent us in both at elective and appointive positions.
“If we can sensitise citizens against selling off their votes in exchange for infrastructural development and good governance, we can easily identify and choose credible leaders he posited.
He charged TCM state coordinators in the Southwest zone to begin massive mobilisation for TCM in every local government and wards in the six states across the southwest geopolitical zone.
Dr Kayode added that, the same awareness in other five zones in the country is equally on going; we are organically sensitising people in all 774 local governments in Nigeria against selling of votes in exchange for the destiny of unborn generations.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr Adesina Ojo, from the Department of Psychology, Lead City University, Ibadan said that the call for a truly people-driven developmental process in Nigeria in recent times had grown more intense and resounding.
He said the theme presented a great challenge and opportunity for all stakeholders across civil societies, governance and others to rethink the foundations of citizen’s engagement and empowerment.
Amid rising social and economic inequality, persistent political disillusionment, and widespread misinformation, one of the most urgent tasks before any democratic society, especially one as complex and diverse as Nigeria, is reconnecting power with the people.
The theme is not only timely but foundational to nation-building, peace-building, and inclusive development, he added.
Similarly, another keynote speaker, Mrs Motunrayo Adu said that the citizens must be properly enlightened so as to understand their rights, duties and civic obligations.
She noted that citizens need to be equipped to engage with governance processes beyond mere voting.
When a citizen understands how a government budget affects the health services in their community, or why a new trade policy could increase the price, they are better positioned to advocate for the real change.
Sadly, in Nigeria today, access to such clarity is still limited. Many citizens are either misinformed or under-informed.
True enlightenment empowers people scientifically to stop being passive recipients of governance and become active participants in leadership and accountability, she said.
Also speaking, another leader of the movement within the zone, Chief Akinwumi Akinfenwa, encouraged members to become grassroots ambassadors for the movement and called for increased recruitment of like-minded citizens.
He said that citizens have power both before elections and after elections on how they want to be governed. He noted that working together as one voice with one mind remains the only way to demand accountability and achieve good governance from present crops of leaders in the country.
In the same vein, the TCM Southwest Zonal Women Leader, Mrs Bukola Soyooye, urged participants to start work at the grassroots so as to raise vibrant people who are willing to join hands to ensure things change for better for present and future generations.
She noted that the increasing hunger, suffering among the people in the grassroots and high rate of unemployment among the youths in the country called for immediate attention.
Also, the Ondo State TCM Coordinator, Hon Yemi Tadema, said that the conference was an eye opener aiming at preparing the minds of citizens ahead of the 2027 elections to choose the right candidates.
It is a collective movement irrespective of political parties affiliations because hunger does not recognise political parties.
We have the strength and resources to move forward, we must be resolute to have a say in the governance of the country so as to move the nation forward, he said.
The conference ended with open contributions, questions and answers, and a renewed commitment from each state coordinator to immediately begin grassroots mobilisation of members.
