Nigerians living in the Diaspora should not be disappointed that they would not be participating in the 2023 general elections because it had not been backed by legislation, the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, pleaded on Saturday.
While advising them to intensify efforts to engage the National Assembly for Diaspora voting to be passed into law, she also warned against flouting the nation’s laws in their efforts to raise campaign funds in support of presidential candidates.
The NIDCOM chairpersin stated these during the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas held at the Nigeriam Consulate in New York monitored virtually by journalists in Abuja, with the theme: ‘NIDOA Renaissance: Leveraging on New Generation Leadership.’
Representatives of NIDOA from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Calgary, Canada; Washington, DC; Savannah, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Minnesota; New Jersey and
New York were in attendance.
“I know that you can’t vote in 2023, but don’t be disappointed. Rather, you need to work harder to lobby the National Assembly to make it possible for the Diasporans to be able to vote. However, you have the voice and use your voice to urge all eligible voters to vote”, Dabiri-Erewa said.
The National Assembly had recently voted against the Bill seeking to provide for Diaspora voting in the constitution.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, cautioned the Diasporans against flouting the Nigerian laws in their efforts to raise campaign funds in support of presidential candidates of their choice.
“I have been hearing stories that you are going to raise this money for one person or the other person. Whatever you do, don’t break the laws of elections and funding in Nigeria. I think that is very important.
“So, I won’t encourage you to break any law relating to political funding; you know how it is operated in America. Ensure you observe the laws also in Nigeria. So as we move on, I can guarantee you that under this administration, we will continue to protect our Diasporans.
“I urge you as the President always says three things: be good ambassadors, obey the laws of whatever countries you are and let us continue to be proud of you and what you are doing”, she said.
Dabiri-Erewa assured members of NIDOA of the commission’s robust partnership.
The chairman, Board of Trustees of NIDOA, Tope Esan, said the organisation’s mission was to promote the spirit of patriotism, networking and cooperation among Nigerians in the Diaspora for their individual and collective success in the countries of the Americas where they reside.
He said they are also on mission to mobilise the vast resources of manpower, technological know-how and wealth of knowledge among Nigerians in the Diaspora towards building a greater Nigeria.
The present Board, he said, after a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) Analysis, identified a three-pronged approach to the present challenges facing the organisation.
“The focus areas are NIDOA image redemption, strategic partnerships and giving back to Nigeria and growing NIDOA’s base”, he said.
Some of the activities at the event included a morning breakfast meeting with state’s legislators, an afternoon AGM session of members and chapters represented and an evening gala and dinner for members and the community at large.
Participants also used the occasion to pay a tribute to the Edo-born former Chief of the Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia in 2002, Prof. Joseph Igietseme.
Igietseme who was also the President of NIDOA in South Savannah, Georgia Chapter, died on May 24, 2022.
