By James Orji
Liz Truss has emerged as the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
A former Foreign Minister in the Boris Johnson Conservative government, she defeated her rival Rishi Sunak in the keenly contested election to become the new Conservative leader.
She is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday to replace Johnson, the outgoing British leader.
More to come………
By James Orji
Kenya’s Supreme Court on Monday upheld results declaring William Ruto winner of last month’s presidential elections.
Ruto, 55, won with 50.49 percent of the vote against his rival Raila Odinga’s 48.85 percent, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced in August.
The announcement of the results then descended into chaos in an otherwise peaceful election process when four members of the electoral commission rejected them, declaring the tallying “opaque.”
Odinga, 77, also later disputed the results in the Supreme Court alleging that hackers had accessed the electoral body’s website, deducted his votes, and added them to Ruto’s, among other claims of irregularities.
His party, the Azimio La Umoja (Aspiration to Unite) coalition, claimed it had enough evidence in the petition to prove misconduct by the electoral commission after the August 9 election.
Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto and presidential candidate for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza political coalition, speaks after being declared the winner of Kenya’s presidential election, at the IEBC National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya August 15, 2022.
Who is Kenya’s new President-elect William Ruto?
However, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected his claims and upheld the results announced by the IEBC.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, delivering the ruling Monday, said the court found no evidence of tampering of results via hacking and that the “IEBC carried out the verification, tallying, and declaration of results in accordance with the provided constitutional law.”
Security was tight ahead of the announcement and Kenya’s security forces are on high alert in areas of the country where violence could break out.
Odinga’s legal team had asked the court to either declare him the winner or order re-election.
This is Odinga’s fifth time running and his third time challenging his loss in presidential elections through the Supreme Court, has filed a case after the last two elections in 2013 and 2017.
In 2017, the Supreme Court made history when it ordered re-election, which was boycotted by Odinga who again lost to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
CNN
By James Orji
The Christian Association of Nigeria President, CAN says Nigerians are free to choose their leaders in the 2023 generation election without any religious consideration.
The President of CAN, Dr Daniel Okoh disclosed this in Onitsha on Sunday, during the 75th-anniversary celebration of the founder of the Grace of God Mission International, Bishop Paul Nwachukwu.
The position of the Okoh-led CAN seems to be different from that of his predecessor who rejected the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Okoh stated that the 2023 election offers the electorates the best opportunity to install the president of their choice through the ballot box, noting that Christians will play a critical role in determining who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari next year.
“The church should be non-partisan in election matters, it has a duty to ensure the people are properly guided in the choice of leaders they choose. If Nigerians can unite and forge a common front, the choice to turn around this country is in their hands,” the CAN president said.
The association had in July accused the APC of trying to polarize the country, saying its members will not vote for the party next year.
Joseph Bade Daramola, the National Secretary of CAN had described the same faith ticket as a threat to the peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.
He said, “CAN urges that a balance of both religious practitioners be considered in the choice of running mates of the presidential candidates. We do not subscribe to Christian/Christian ticket or Muslim/Muslim ticket.
“Politicians can talk politics but we have stated our view long before now. Any party that tries same religion ticket will fail. This is not 1993. Even when we have joint Muslim/Christian ticket, the church still goes through hell.
“Imagine how bad it will be if we have two Muslims in power? The extant Nigerian constitution promotes religious balance. So, if any political party wants to try Muslim/Muslim ticket, it is at its own peril. CAN is only forewarning, but will make a categorical statement in the event our warning is not heeded.”
“Anything contrary to the above means that the leadership of these political parties do not bother about the unity of Nigeria. Those who are planning Muslim/Muslim ticket should also find out what was the outcome of MKO Abiola and Kingibe ticket in 1993. If they try Muslim/Muslim ticket this time around, the outcome will be worse because our fault lines are very visible.
By James Orji
The federal government has filed a 24-count charge against disgraced Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari. Top among the charges against the embattled former Commander of the IRT is that he acquired properties beyond his income as a police officer in some parts of the country, including Abuja and Borno state where he hailed from.
Kyari was arrested in February 14 this year after the NDLEA busted a drug deal involving him in a sting operation.
The highly decorated policeman was arrested alongside five other suspects; DCP Abba Kyari; ACP Sunday J. Ubua; ASP Bawa James; Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu.
They are now being put on trial.
In the fresh 24-count charges filed against Kyari by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, J. Sunday, dated August 30, 2022, the Attorney-General of the Federation stated that the suspended DCP allegedly disguised his ownership of some of the properties.
The case filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/22 had as co-defendants, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, who are believed to be the beleaguered policeman’s siblings.
Count 11 read, ‘’That you, DCP Abba Kyari, male, adult and you Mohammed Kyari, male, adult, on or about February 14, 2022, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court in order to disguise the true ownership of the property situate at plot no. 33, Bama Road, GRA Extension, Maiduguri, Borno State, covered by certificate no. BO/4319 issued by Borno State Government by deposing to a false affidavit at the Federal High Court in suit no.
“FHC/NG/Cs/9/2022 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, (as amended).’’
According to the charge sheet, the disgraced police officer acquired choice properties in Abuja and Maiduguri which he did not declare as a public servant as required by the law.
His action, the Attorney General of the Federation said contravened and punishable under section 35(3)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The properties include an estate at Linda Chaulker Road, Asokoro Extension; plot no. 5 titled BO/4546; plot no. 9 titled BO/1037; plot no. 10 titled CER/4319 and plot no 33 titled BO/4319, Maiduguri, Borno State.
They also include a shopping mall titled, NE/1229 and a polo playground with plot no. 270, both located in Maiduguri, a farmland along Abuja-Kaduna road and a plaza under construction in Guzape, Abuja.
The DCP was also accused of converting N28.4 million in his GTB account number 0121075250; N65.2m in his GTB account number 0138360064; N95 million in UBA account number 1002250112 and N16.9 million in Sterling Bank account number 0072451994.
Also Kyari was accused of failing to declare in the NDLEA assets declaration form the sum of Є17,598 in two GTB accounts, being proceeds of unlawful activities; N2.9 million in UBA; N366, 258.77 and N88.000 in Sterling Bank.
On his part ACP Ubua with charge number FHC/ABJ/407/22, was accused of not disclosing a N100 million life insurance policy with First Bank of Nigeria Insurance Limited, including several millions stashed in different bank accounts.
Ubua was also said to have converted N118.6 million using First bank account 3018154763 and $30,516.36 using Polaris Bank account 2630046721.
By Akinwale Kasali
A Northern Based Group under the aegis of Concerned Northern Forum, has urged the Federal Government to order the immediate termination of the N4 Billion worth Pipeline Surveillance Contract awarded to ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
It was claimed by the Group that the contract awarded to Tompolo would only teach Nigerian youths that it was better to be “thugs, fugitive than a loyal citizen.”
At a press briefing organized by the Group at the Arewa House, Kaduna, it urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the NNPC LTD, describing oil and gas thefts as outrageous.
Mallam Ibrahim Bature, Chairman of the Group while addressing the Media said that it was time for Northerners to defend themselves against banditry, kidnapping and other related crimes ravaging the region.
He also urged the National Assembly to make public its findings on the ongoing subsidy probe after conclusion of the investigations.
He added, “As you are aware, since the revelation of the award of Pipeline Surveillance contract to Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, and others came to public knowledge, the country has been charged over the decision of the Federal Government and the NNPC Ltd to award security contract to private individuals, especially those with negative records of raising arms against the state before they were granted amnesty.
“That we vehemently reject and oppose the pipeline Surveillance Contract the NNPC Ltd awarded to Tompolo, hence, it should be terminated with immediate effect.
We urge the Federal Government to channel the N48 billion Tompolo will be earning annually to address the developmental and environmental need of the Niger Delta people, rather than sharing such funds for the boys.
“The contract awarded to Tompolo will only teach our youths it’s better to be thugs, fugitive, than a loyal citizen.
“With incidences like these, we have no choice than to answer the calls by some Northern Governors to defend ourselves against the Banditry and Kidnapping bedevilling our region, and this will resort to the use of weapons which will later result in another big problem in the future.
“We urge the FGN to please listen to our clarion call, do the needful so that the citizens will not rebel against the state.
“We wish to call on Mr President to look critically into the position of both the Nigeria Customs and the Nigerian Navy over the outrageous claims of theft in the Oil and Gas sector by the NNPC. Both can’t be wrong while the NNPC is right. Hence, heavy sanctions should be imposed on the top management of the company.
“Declare a State of Emergency in the NNPC Ltd by appointing Military Administrators to watch over the affairs of the company pending when investigation will be concluded into the subsidy regime that cost the country trillions of Naira annually.
“Commend the National Assembly for initiating the ongoing probe into the subsidy regime and to also urge them to make the process public, through live broadcast,” he said.
The Obi-Datti Media Office’s attention has been drawn to the desolate and baseless allegation by a support group of Tinubu-Shettima calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed from the 2023 Presidential election for allegedly violating a section of Electoral Act on Election funding.
All of a sudden, the structure-less and social media candidates are now the headache of the ruling party that they now had to fabricate and imagine things they want the electoral Commission to act on, the office said.
“Obi’s successful trip abroad which is essentially to sensitize and carry along Nigerians aboard on his upcoming agenda of rebuilding the country is open and transparent and not a fund raising. But we know why its discomforting some people, because they cannot meet Nigerians in diaspora knowing that they contributed to their leaving the country in the first place.
“We have always said it umpteenth times that their own understanding of structure is the abundance of looted funds in their kitty that they plan to deploy on hungry Nigerian voters during the election to sway their votes.
“They know nobody has the kind of stolen funds they have and are always uncomfortable at anything suggesting to them that their opponents could match them. Obi did not go to beg for money but to sell himself and his mission to Nigerians outside the shores who are critical stakeholders in the Nigeria project.
“Since June 2022 that they deployed a lump of their loots to get the ticket of their party, the nation’s currency crashed and is still battling for breath. And since then they have been mopping up foreign currencies ahead of the election to buy voters.
“The Media office therefore needs to educate them that Obi and his Running mate are knowledgeable duo who know the law and operates within it and who became what they are financially, politically and socially doing legitimate businesses. They have no bullion van history of questionable wealth and are ready and willing to be scrutinized.
“Just as Obi and Datti backgrounds and antecedents are verifiable so also is their source of income before and now are unambiguous and auditable.
“Obi and Datti, reached where they are today in this 2023 journey giving no ‘shishi’ to anybody, because they are investing on the suffering Nigerians impoverished by the greedy leaders of the past who diverted public funds to their private and family pockets.
“We understand their predicament, the dearth of contents from their principal, the lack of what to market, using the ample opportunity provided by the campaigns and the resort to searching blindly for reasons to disqualify the people’s only hope for a new and better Nigeria.
“Suddenly, they are beginning to realize that the social media giant, the structure-less and inconsequential candidates, are in the heart of the people who are convinced by their pragmatic messages. In frustration and envy they are now desperately looking for all crooked ways to stop them.
“Finally, we like to advise all those in this school of thought that the old order that kept us down as a nation will still work, to read the hand writing on the wall and know that their time is up and that Nigerians are ready and determined to take back their country now.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday is deserving of every honour done him by family, friends and well wishers alike.
The Governor spoke at the Cathedral Church of Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) in Owerri during a Thanksgiving Service to mark Chief Iwuanyanwu’s 80th birthday, the climax of a week long event lined up for that purpose.
Addressing the audience at the Cathedral’s auditorium that was filled to the brim with Chief Iwuanyanwu’s family, friends, associates and well wishers alike, Governor Uzodimma said that “nothing can be more fulfilling than to be celebrated while alive.”
The Governor explained: “Yesterday (Saturday), Nigerians celebrated our father and leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu at 80. Yesterday (Saturday), Ndigbo expressed their profound gratitude to Ahaejiagamba for his many years of service to our people and Nigeria.
“Yesterday (Saturday), the government and the good people of Imo State stood in unison to proclaim to the world that Chief Iwuanyanwu is our son in whom we are well pleased. Not all mortals are so fortunate to witness such rare honour alive. And not all who live up to 80 years are so honoured.
“It is only natural that the week-long celebration is peaking with a Thanksgiving Service at this historic Cathedral; THE CATHEDRAL OF THE CONFIGURATION OF OUR LORD (CATOL), which Chief Iwuanyanwu was pivotal to its building.
“In his lifetime, he has watched the growth and expansion of this edifice. As those close to him know, nothing gives Chief Iwuanyanwu more joy than building for the Lord. This explains
why he is currently embarking on the construction of even a more gigantic Cathedral in his hometown, Atta.”
Governor Uzodimma used the ocassion of the thanksgiving to appreciate the galaxy of Nigerians who have identified with Chief Iwuanyanwu on his 80th birthday with prayers and goodwill messages.
“Let me, therefore, appreciate in a very special way those who were in Owerri yesterday to celebrate this iconic figure.I thank our caring President, Muhammadu Buhari for his sincere goodwill message. I equally appreciate former President Goodluck Jonathan for being physically present at the lecture. The guest lecturer, Dr. Nnia Nwodo was at his cerebral best. I didn’t expect anything less. Our own brother, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) was also there in flesh and blood. For those who also sent representations, you also deserve my regards. All of us working together gave Ahaejigamba a deserving birthday present,” the Governor said.
Governor Uzodimma recalled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s effort in making the Imo State Airport a reality when it was like an aberration for States to own airports in the country.
His words: “Most people who came in through the Imo airport should salute Chief Iwuanyanwu. When the project was conceived, he was one of the very few that facilitated the realisation of the airport, the first to be built by the ‘never say die’ Imo people; the symbol of lgbo resilience and determination.
“Mark you, in the early eighties, one million was a huge sum of money.
“In the same period, many accident victims survived because of Iwuanyanwu”s blood bank. There are several other interventions by this great son of ours that changed the course of history in Igboland and Nigeria. We therefore cannot celebrate him enough.
“Indeed, the eulogies so far paid him are only a drop in the ocean in comparison to the positive impact he has made in society. However, I am glad that we are in the House of God, who alone has the adequate resources to reward Chief Iwuanyanwu according to his invaluable good works to humanity.”
The Governor expressed gratitude to Chief Iwuanyanwu for the support he has shown to his government that stands him out as a true statesmen and leader of men.
He, therefore, noted: “For me as the Governor of Imo State, I am grateful to our son and father, for the stabilizing role he has continued to play in my administration. He has truly been a father to the government. The only way I can reward him is to continue to serve Imo people with utmost honesty and accountability.
“My promise to him and the people of the state is that I will continue to serve diligently, selflessly, honestly and for the good of all Imo people irrespective of party or clan.
“Once again, congratulations, our dear patriot. By this time next year, we shall also return here to thank God for your life.”
Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province who is also Anglican Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev Dr David Onuoha extolled the good virtues of Chief Iwuanyanwu, insisting that he never withheld God’s blessings from his people.
Archbishop Onuoha said Chief Iwuanyanwu impacted the lives of so many people in Nigeria, including those he did not know.
He said Chief Iwuanyanwu is a classical example of God’s word of being gracious to whom he chooses and of showing mercy, compassion to whom he likes.
Bishop Onuoha maintained, therefore, that all our struggles may come to nothing if God’s grace, mercy and compassion are not involved.
He prayed God to grant Chief Iwuanyanwu many more years of fruitful service, particularly in God’s Vineyard where he has not hidden his passion.
The highpoint of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s birthday celebration was the unveiling of his biography – Amazing Grace of God – written by some members of his Alumni, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, at the Landmark Event Centre Owerri, venue of the reception for guests.
By Gideon Njoku
The Peoples Democratic People, PDP, has described the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a paper tiger in a dead party, totally intimidated by the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said this in reaction to Tinubu’s attack on the Party and its Presidential Candidate.
The APC Presidential candidate, in a statement had expressed surprise that the PDP is still in existence. He blasted the PDP for even trying to present a Presidential candidate after it had, for eight years, destroyed Nigeria. It took an umbrage of Atiku, and dismissed him as unqualified for the job, and incapable of the job.. Tinubu, also, reeled out a number of things allegedly achieved by the APC in its seven years plus in office, including it claimed, the revival of the Railway as a means of transportation.
But in response, the PDP said the APC Presidential candidate is incoherent and suffering from ethical issues. It also alleged that Tinubu spoke like someone under the influence. Said the Party: “It is distressing that Asiwaju Tinubu speaks like someone under the influence with incoherent discourse and absence of mind that further expose a lack of capacity for leadership especially at the Presidential level.
“From his incoherent discourse, the APC Presidential Candidate appears to be battling with issues of ethical challenges and ineligibility to contest election on account of inconsistencies in his educational qualifications, name, ancestry, age, corruption allegations among myriads of issues.”
Tagging Tinubu a huge baggage for his Party, the PDP said it was surprised that the Presidential candidate could allude to, and claim the revival of Nigeria’s railway as a Muhammadu Buhari Government achievement.
Said the PDP on that: “It is rather shameful that the APC Presidential candidate alluded to the Nation’s Railway sysyem which was revitalized by the PDP administration but painfully surrendered to terrorists and bandits by the APC Government”
Following is the full text of the PDP statement.
You are a Paper Candidate, APC is Dead, PDP Replies Tinubu; Says Asiwaju is Intimidated by Atiku, PDP Achievements
“Nigerians are appalled by yet another attempt by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to divert attention from the main issues of the failures of the APC government by making derogatory remarks on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Such fixation on the PDP only exposes Asiwaju Tinubu as a paper candidate who is confused, nervy and intimidated by the PDP’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the achievements of the PDP, which stare him in the face in mortal fear of failure ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Unlike the APC that is dead, the PDP is not only alive and existing as acknowledged by Asiwaju Tinubu in his statement, but also strong, united and focused on its mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the misrule of the APC.
“It is distressing that Asiwaju Tinubu speaks like someone under the influence with incoherent discourse and absence of mind that further expose a lack of capacity for leadership especially at the Presidential level.
“It is rather shameful that the APC Presidential Candidate alluded to the nation’s railway system which was revitalized by the PDP administration but painfully surrendered to terrorists and bandits by the APC government.
“From his incoherent discourse, the APC Presidential Candidate appears to be battling with issues of ethical challenges and ineligibility to contest election on account of inconsistencies in his educational qualifications, name, ancestry, age, corruption allegations among myriads of issues.
“Moreover, Nigerians have realized the futility of Asiwaju’s non-existent and heavily concocted achievements, influence, leadership prowess and skills.
“Nigerians gave Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu the benefit of the doubt but he failed them by engineering a deceitful government leading to the ugly indices of insecurity and bloodletting, economic hardship, unemployment, disunity and low life expectancy imposed on our nation in the last seven years.
“He should know that Nigerians are aware that he is in the Presidential race not to serve but to gain control of the nation’s treasury so as to expand his exploitative enterprise and economic empire beyond Lagos State.
“The APC Presidential Candidate has not responded to allegations that he is the promoter of the increase in VAT, electricity tariff, import duties, Stamp Duty, fuel price hike as well as other exploitative tolls by the APC Federal Government, from which he allegedly benefits through many stooges in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other revenue generating agencies of government.
“Asiwaju is a huge baggage to the APC. He should know that because of him there is a daily exodus of millions of APC members across the country into the PDP. In the last one month, over 5 million APC members have defected to the PDP. In the Lagos State axis, his supposed stronghold, close to one million APC members have decamped to the PDP since his emergence as APC Presidential Candidate.
“This is because Nigerians have recognized the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar as the solution our nation needs at this moment while Asiwaju has been identified as “Another Problem Coming” (APC).”
By Charles Igbo
Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, has obviously made an about-turn in his opinion and relationship with Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
In 2019, Umahi could not hide his anger when Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, then and now, picked Obi as his running mate. He spoke against it publicly. He said he was not consulted nor was other PDP South-east Governors consulted.
Not a few people think Umahi did not vote for the PDP ticket in 2019, and they also think it is one of the reasons Umahi defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the PDP.
Now all that has changed.
Speaking on Arise Television, Friday, in an interview session, Umahi said he is proud of the waves Peter Obi is making in his aspiration to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
He said it was because he knew that PDP was not going to give anybody from the South-east its Presidential ticket that he left. For all the support the South-east gave to the PDP since 1999, Umahi said the Party has been unfair to the region. He said that is why he is happy with Obi and the waves he is making. For that, Umahi disclosed that he would publicly host Obi in Ebonyi State.
Umahi: “I foresaw that the PDP was not going to give its Presidential ticket to an Igbo man and I said no, that was not fair because we had served this party since 1999. That was my position.
“A lot of people crying today were the people who were attacking me for leaving the Party at that State but subsequently, they left. They owe me a lot of apologies.
“Peter Obi is my brother. I am proud of what he is doing and it would have been a disaster if the South-east was not heard at all in the quest for the Presidency and I wish him well. What happened to me at the Presidential Primaries was the will of God.
“Peter Obi is my friend and I will do that publicly. I like what he is doing and it is very encouraging. I have never mentioned him in my interviews and that is it. Campaigns have not started.”
Obi is the only serious Presidential candidate from the South-east. He dumped the PDP three days to the Party’s Presidential Primary for the then moribund LP, when he found out the PDP ticket would be a no-contest between the aspirants and the eventual winner, Atiku.
He has since revived the almost dead LP.
By Akinwale Kasali
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora, NIDCOM, has appealed to Nigerians living in Diaspora following their inability to participate in the 2013 General Elections.
The NIDCOM Boss said this is because it hasn’t been backed by legislation.
She, however, advised the diaspora 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.
Dabiri-Erewa stated this 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 of 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 a 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.
