APC frets over Obi’s rising profile, deploys Diaspora Commission to scuttle foreign fund raising for LP

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is beginning to show signs of fret over the rising profile of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in the domestic and international environment, which stimulated the volunteer of Nigerians in diaspora to mobilise crowd fundraising to generate N100 billion for the Obi’s campaign. Nigerians resident in the U.S. and others in Canada had volunteered fundraising mobilization in Europe and America to finance Obi’s presidential campaign in the 2023 general elections.

Accordingly, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA) at the Nigeria Consulate, New York, USA, on Saturday cautioned Nigerians living overseas to be careful not to violate laws on campaign funding in Nigeria in the preparations for the 2023 general elections.

Dabiri-Erewa, speaking at the virtual meeting titled: “NIDOA Renaissance: Leveraging on New Generation Leadership,” told Nigerians in diaspora to ensure that they observe the laws in their support for presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections

Dabiri-Erewa had declared: “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.”

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, had inaugurated an 11-man Diaspora Committee to organise fund-raising activities in support of the Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi.

The Inauguration came a day after the party’s Diaspora support groups volunteered to launch a crowdfunding portal with a target to raise $150 million from Obi’s supporters in the Diaspora and N100 billion from those in Nigeria.

Dabiri-Erewa said the diaspora should not be disappointed that they won’t be voting in the 2023 general elections, telling them to put pressure on the National Assembly to pass the law on Diaspora voting.

Advertisement

Dabiri-Erewa stated: “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.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NIDOA, Tope Esan, stated that the organisation’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 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.

According to Esan, the present board, 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, giving back to Nigeria and growing NIDOA’s base,” he said.