Walking the Talk! Diaspora Action

Nigerians in Diaspora

Nigerians in Diaspora have for long contemplated what role they need to play to make the desired change in governance structures back home. Inspite of the huge financial burden on diasporans; supporting nuclear and extended family networks domicile in their home countries, 'State Captors' find every reason to prevent diasporans from having a say in the electoral processes that determine the leadership in Nigeria.

Beyond monetary remunerations, Africa's diasporans perhaps represent a significant fraction of the most resilient and informed group of their various countries' citizens. The role they play in the economies of their host countries not only affords them a life style they could never dream of back home, but also sustains their host countries various industries in no little way. Unfortunately one may be forced to wonder if the West's strategy to subjugate Africa to the backwaters of development was an extension of the 'Windrush era' when the British needed labour shortly after the end of the second world war. This time, they never needed to actively procure these labour. But for very few exceptions, various African leaders, would by their inept leadership, constrain their citizens to seek greener pastures abroad.

Economic migration is one thing, but the insurrection deployed by terrorists and bandits in swathes of the African subregion bordering Niger, Chad and Nigeria has persisted for over two decades and now defining the polity of Nigeria in no small measure.

Leadership - heads vs tail!

Nigerians in the Diaspora had hoped that change would come in no distant future. But this was the hope forty years ago when some may remember one 'Andrew' who purportedly wanted to leave Nigeria for the West and the government campaigned actively to discourage emigration. Those were the days shortly after the return of the military after checkmating the second republic democratic process. SAP - Structural Adjustment Programme was biting hard and Nigeria had the misfortune of being ruled by the duo of Idiagbon and Buhari. Theirs was a short bitter spell - an ill-wind that blew no one any good. Sadly the long shadow of Buhari, has by some strange act of maleficence, perhaps a twist of fate, been cast over the country again. There was trickery and a slight of hand. The nation in desperation for an end to what was thought a failing government, was sold 'silverware' that was indeed an alloy of brass!

But these are not the times of honourable men. No not one. They thrive in the slurry of their dishonour and they gloat in the misery of the masses. Gone; are the days of honourable men.

 

The unrest witnessed today was a seed apparently sewn by this same contraption of a government in their effort to undermine Goodluck Jonathan's leadership. The nation is bleeding and all the kings men and their horses still shout long live the king! The honourable thing to do would have been to leave. But these are not the times of honourable men. No not one. They thrive in the slurry of their dishonour and they gloat in the misery of the masses. Gone; are the days of honourable men.

An anthem in mourning

The National anthem is today like a requiem, when sung. It has brought true heroes to tears. Of pain, of sadness knowing the true cost and the price paid to achieve such glory.  The labours of our heroes past, shall never be in vain, it says in its third line. Really? Our soldiers are battling terrorists within our territories and they, the terrorists, seem to be getting away with the connivance of enemies within. But we need new heroes today. The current crop of leaders have no similitude of heroes. They have aided and abetted the terrorists. They have, rather than unite and serve, opted to divide and starve its people. They line their pockets with wealth they know the average Nigerian would not earn in the normal line of duties, but they justify it in their self-delusion. They have sold our silverware to other lands and preferred to go a-borrowing, not minding the sorrow generations of youth would be forced to bear, long after they depart and are forgotten.

The national anthem has indeed now become a dirge. We are a nation in mourning, burying scores of citizens in circumstances that declare none is safe. We have lost our youths. We are in our own land, captives, desperately seeking to free ourselves from the shackles some have decided to unleash on the people. They swore an oath to serve and to protect but neither have they done and can they do.  

And this time, its still not clear if Nigerians have learnt any lessons. Some are still singing from the same old hymn sheet. Still fanning the embers of deceit and the flames of derision.  The false foundations on which the current structures were built have clearly failed and many have exploited these fault lines to disproportionate advantage. One hopes truth and justice shall some day prevail, but until that day, someone needs to take this bull by the horns and wrest the country from the hands of these state actors - whether elected or not.  Military dictatorships never lead to a civil and progressive society, hence that is no longer an option.

We are first Nigerians!

The Nigeria Diaspora Action Group considers the current situation as indeed desperate. Across the diaspora, many Nigerians are pulling together to advance one clear message. One that would spell the death of the old and the birth of a New Nigeria, were equity, fairness and justice obtains. The nationhood that eludes its citizens has been a handiwork of a few who have arrogated to themselves rights that only sadly benefitted the rich. The message of change in a rather unexpected turn of events has shown the two major parties for what they truly are - carpet baggers and merchants of the people's destinies. What else can explain the events shamelessly witnessed during their recent primary elections.

In the chicanery that unfolded, providence birthed hope and many Nigerians for once sort to fan these flickering flames. Diasporans recognise the resources at the disposal of the machinery of government is immense. The incumbent would stop at nothing to deploy these resources to undermine the will of the people - which is to stop ongoing corrupt and inept leadership by the two leading parties.

APC, the party in government and its collaborator, the PDP have played this game for over two decades and Nigeria has in this period retrogressed. It is therefore foolhardy for anyone to believe these two parties have the will or desire to salvage Nigeria.

Voters Mobilization Campaign

Whilst there has been other parties, too numerous to mention, it is apparent that the Labour Party, like a new bride has attracted attention for the right reasons.  The race to 2023 elections is no longer a two horse race. It is indeed between the 'Third force', a coalition of other right-thinking political parties which also includes the Labour Party and the Old force comprising APC and PDP, each a side of the same coin. The recent surge in registration for Permanent Voters Card (PVC), a pre-requisite for eligibility to vote and the ensuing mobilisation, if nothing has shown that Nigerians have woken up from their slumber and this time are not want to allow the politicians get away with their old methods of rough-shodding their way into political office.

Like most Nigerians abroad, NDAGroup recognises that for true change to be realised, citizens must decide and elect the next president from preferably the 'Third force'. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state and his Vice Presidential candidate Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed both of the Labour Party currently stand heads and shoulders above any other candidate from either the 'Old forces' or the lesser known parties. Unfortunately, diasporans have been disenfranchised, despite the huge contributions to the Nigerian economy per capita. However they have not been silenced and this time, the approach is hands on, galvanising resources - human and capital towards a grass-roots awareness movement ahead of the official start date in September.

Conclusion

It is indeed a make or break decision, come February 2023 when Nigerians decide. Previously it was an event that most Nigerians dithered and never really got involved. The endless state of crises and now, what is perhaps tantamount to a near collapse of the machinery of government, has brought majority of Nigerians to the realisation that incompetence, mediocrity and nepotism truly have been the nations undoing and this had been foisted on citizens by act of omission or commission; failing to make votes count or be indeed be the change by standing against ills of electoral processes. Diasporans have lent their voice and in many ways influenced the views of some and hopefully significant numbers; members of their family, friends, old school mates and business associates.

NDAGroup as a stakeholder, and in line with its objectives, seeks ways to enhance the decision making of Nigerians across various cadres of society, and preferably from the grassroots. Enabling people to make the right choices without fear or favour is the bedrock of true democratic processes. Hitherto, the so-called elites have browbeaten the vulnerable and helpless into electing persons with no intention to serve or deliver on any given mandate. NDAGroup in reviewing the candidates currently offering to serve Nigeria in the highest offices of president and vice, have no doubt that the pair of Peter Obi and Dr Baba-Ahmed of the labour party represents equity and justice and together also represents a shift from the past as recently demonstrated by the Old Forces.

In addition to awareness and voter education, NDAGroup is currently poised to harness available resources to continue to support a course that represents what we believe should be the emphasis; enable, equip and empower all towards restoring economic prosperity of a truly blessed country. Beyond restoring the hopes and dreams of millions of Nigeria, NDAGroup believes in the actualisation of these hopes and dreams through opportunities translating knowledge into practice. Our heroes, past and present collectively make Nigeria a great Nation. Until now we have perhaps, few if any heroes in leadership. It is difficult to say if there are any in the current government. However this needs to change. Only persons given themselves to truly serve can be heroes. No one is born a hero. People become such by virtue of service to others, not self! Little wonder our anthem as currently sung seem to echo the past and less the now.

The journey to a New Nigeria has already started and NDAGroup is committed to making that change a reality.