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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged Nigerians living abroad not to break campaign finance laws in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.
The call was made by Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA), which was held at the Nigeria Consulate in New York on Saturday evening and was virtually monitored by newsmen in Abuja.
In a paper titled “NIDOA Renaissance: Leveraging on New Generation Leadership,” Dabiri-Erewa urged them to follow the rules when supporting presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections.
She said: “I have been hearing stories that you are going to raise 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.
“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,” she said
Recall that the National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, recently, inaugurated an 11-man Diaspora Committee to organise fund-raising activities in support of the Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.
This came a day after the party’s Diaspora support groups pledged in a media report to launch a crowdfunding portal with a goal of raising $150 million from Obi’s Diaspora supporters and N100 billion from those in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa also urged them not to be disappointed that they will not be able to vote in the 2023 elections. She advised them to increase their efforts to engage the National Assembly in order for Diaspora voting to become law.
“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 cast their vote.
“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.
The NIDCOM boss also assured members of NIDOA of the commission’s robust partnership.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of NIDOA, Tope Esan, stated that the organization’s mission is to promote the spirit of patriotism, networking, and cooperation among Nigerians in the Diaspora for their individual and collective success in the Americas countries 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.
Esan, explained that the present board, after a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) Analysis, identified a 3-pronged approach to the present challenges facing the organisation.
“The focus areas are NIDOA image redemption, strategic partnerships, giving back to Nigeria and growing NIDOA’s base,” he said.
