Former Everton and Super Eagles star joins politics, floats political group

Football and politics do not usually mix, but an ex-international is being driven by a passion for a better Nigeria

Super Eagles assistant coach Joseph Yobo has launched a social-political group, the Grassroots Mobilization Initiative for Good Governance (GMI), ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Yobo, who is currently the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the organisation.

And at the official unveiling of the group in Abuja on Monday, the Super Eagles centurion spoke of his desire to mobilise Nigerians of all spheres of life to vote for credible leaders to birth a nation that works for all.

According to Blueprint, Yobo said: “We have agreed as an organisation, despite anyone’s political leaning or affiliation, personal interest and sentiments, to be apolitical and not be affiliated to any political party until we have identified a leader that is competent, capable, pragmatic, purpose driven and a true Nigerian. 

“This means that, as an organisation, we will be consulting with all Nigerians, irrespective of your social status. We will meet our political, traditional, religious, and business leaders. We will meet the traders, schoolboys, girls, taxi drivers.”

It is unclear how the former Everton captain plans to combine his duties as one of the assistants to Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen and his functions at the GMI.

Yobo was named into the national team’s coaching crew in 2020 following a distinguished career that saw him feature for Standard Liege, Marseille, Everton, Fenerbahce, and Norwich City.

He made his Super Eagles debut in 2001 and went on to win 102 caps before retiring in 2014.

He represented Nigeria at six Africa Cup of Nations, including the 2013 edition, where he led the country to her third continental title. He also played at three World Cups and was captain of Everton for a couple of years.