NIDO-Americas ex-boss canvasses synergy for credible elections in 2023

Former Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas, Obed Monago, has charged compatriots on collective efforts to achieve free and fair elections next year.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, that following rife concerns about the upcoming polls, there was need for close working relations among relevant stakeholders to achieve desired goals.

Monago said: “If we can synergise with the State Department for those of us in the Diaspora to contribute our quota, we can achieve targets as a nation.

“We must ensure there is free and fair election in Nigeria, so that whoever emerges, will have the mandate of Nigerians to rule.

“It is very important that to sustain democratic growth in Nigeria, the 2023 elections are free and fair.

“I hope our Constitution provides for run-off during election, which I think it is 23 states with majority win that is required. So, hopefully, there is a provision in our Constitution for run-offs.”

He regretted the delay in composing a board for the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), stating that the development poses concerns for Nigerians abroad as it relates to their involvement in electoral processes.

Monago went on: “We are deeply concerned. We even intended to ask the Federal Government questions based on constitution of NIDCOM.

“Also on the Diaspora voting rights, it is not a secret, but a known fact about the amount of money NIDO is remitting to the country.

“There are two basic areas where government should allow us to feel the sense of belonging in Nigeria – one is the area of constituting the board to NIDCOM.

“NIDO fought exclusively for the actual realisation of NIDCOM and up till now, the board has not been constituted.

“There is also issue of Diaspora voting rights. Despite all the money we are sending back home, we do not even have a say on who governs Nigeria.”