By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Labour Party (LP) on Thursday inaugurated an 11-member Diaspora Committee to pilot the affairs of its diaspora matter.
The party chairman, Abure, explained that the committee became imperative following calls to establish chapters across the country.
Abure, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja said: “The party has enjoyed overwhelming support from Nigerians across the world and even non-Nigerians alike.
“This has resulted in a situation where there is clamour for the party to establish chapters across the world. There has also been the clamour of people who want to contribute to the growth and development of the party.
“Arising from these calls and the necessities to have this coordinated, the party has decided to put up a committee of 11 distinguished Nigerians to drive this process.”
Members of the committee included Hon Chibuike Amidichi (chairman), Vice Chairman, Oseremen Omofoma (vice chairman), and Secretary, Jeffery Okeregbe.
Other members are; Rev. Chidi Jacobs, Chief Patrick Osagie, Marcel Ogugbeche, Andrew Edobor, Thecla Garba, Dr. Pats Obiefule, Prince Edun Ochai, and Edna Ifieagwu.
On the terms of reference, Abure said: “The committee members are expected to organise fundraising activities and donations to the party after liaising with the party.
“They are also to recommend for the national chairman, the creation of the Diaspora chapters and monitor the activities of the Diaspora chapter and report to the national chairman.
“They would also be required to facilitate travel arrangements for party officials to perform any other functions connected”.
He charged them to carry out the assigned duties in good faith without fear or favour.
“We expect that you exercise good faith, you must be dutiful, patriotic in this assignment, transparent and accountable.
“The movements we are in today are not driven by any other thing. It is driven by integrity, dignity, competence and performance. And therefore all those that will be involved in this struggle in these assignments must have these virtues.
“I, therefore, want to urge you these virtues must be in your mind as you carry out these assignments”.
Responding, Amidichi said the committee will work tirelessly to reposition the party and build a new partnership with Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially in the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and South Africa.
He also said those in the diaspora have demonstrated willingness to identify with the party and also ready to support the party and its presidential candidate.
It would be recalled that some political parties are currently facing the task of determining their authentic candidate as more one candidate has in some cases being parading as their flag bearers, especially in National Assembly and governorship lists
Some the states where the parties have such challenges include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, Yobe, Kano,
The event was organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in conjunction with INEC.
”Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on Sept. 28 as provided for by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
”As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns.
“This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner,” he said.
Yakubu, who noted that activities for the 2023 General Elections would enter critical stages this month from the next 19 days onward, explained further that “The commission welcomes this initiative and as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), there is no doubt that the security agencies also welcome ideas and citizens’ support towards peaceful elections,” he said.
The Director, CDD, Ms Idayat Hassan, said that the meeting was being held against the background of security challenges plaguing the country, adding that the idea was to start talking about how to deescalate the tension and how to secure the environment, such that INEC would be able to assess all parts of the country to conduct a peaceful and legitimate election come 2023.
” I think one for this election, the security of election materials, the security of personnel, the security of voters are in context and there is actually the problem in INEC assessing all areas.
“We should note that this is not just an INEC problem, this is a stakeholder’s problem, and insecurity is already prevailing.
“The challenge we are having is how to do we conduct election against the background of this prevailing insecurity? It will behold on the federal government and other stakeholders to come in.”
In his remarks CDD Development Director, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Chris Pycroft, said that the office was delighted to be partnering with CDD and providing funding for the event and related activity to promote peaceful and secure elections in 2023.
He noted that the idea is a top priority for the UK in Nigeria over the coming six months, and one of the multiple initiatives in partnership with Nigerian and international stakeholders.
”The stakes have never felt higher. Nigeria is facing more challenges than ever before in its democratic history to run a peaceful and secure election.
“These elections are profoundly important not only for Nigeria but also for the African continent and democracy across the world, “he said.
