Political economist Prof. Pat Utomi has debunked rumors that he, alongside other prominent Nigerians, are planning to announce the formation of a new political party on October 1.

Utomi has recently been linked in the media with a “third force,” called Rescue Nigeria Project to give the electorate an alternative platform to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Some founders of RNP include former Kwara Governor Ahmed Abdulfatai; former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran; former Cross River Governor Donald Duke; and former House of Representatives member Usman Bugaje.

INEC was recently reported as saying that 95 groups have recently applied to be registered as political parties.

But Utomi, who spoke on the sidelines of a press conference announcing winners of the Year 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards in Lagos, was hesitant to describe the movement as a political party.

He said the group and similar others were more interested in getting competent leaders into office, irrespective of the political party platform.

But the Secretary of the National Consultative Forum, Mr. Wale Okunniyi told Inspiration FM that Nigerians should not get confused about the Rescue Nigeria Project and the NCF.