A group, Team New Nigeria (TNN), has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be registered as a new political party in the country.

It made the announcement yesterday in Abuja while unveiling its focus. TNN’s President, Modibbo Farakwai, said the electoral umpire had acknowledged receipt of its application.

He hinted that in the coming weeks, a national rollout of plans, manifesto and constitution would take place. Farakwai, who dismissed insinuations that the new group was a disguise for the political interests of certain people or individuals, insisted that TNN “is a national rejuvenation movement, established to unite the Nigerian people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social, and economic change.”

He added: “TNN was inspired by people’s suffering on the ground. Team New Nigeria is stepping forward at this critical time to offer Nigerians a brand new platform to actualise their aspirations to take part in the management of Nigeria, by playing effective roles, and determining the leadership emergence process from their immediate environment.”

The president said the group had identified unique ‘disruptive’ avenues and would engage diligently with relevant stakeholders to achieve set objectives. Farakwai noted that the middle class stands the risk of being wiped out on the back of an “obnoxious debt restructuring programme.”

He maintained that while Nigerians struggle to keep their heads above water, government officials continue to exhibit high levels of greed, corruption, arrogance of power, dishonesty, blatant state capture, and conflict of interest.