In a speech on Wednesday night in Lisbon, Portugal, President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his administration’s commitment to making sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts peaceful, transparent, free, fair, and credible elections the following year.
The President stated that with the conclusion of the political party primaries, all eyes are now on the 2023 elections in Nigeria at a meeting with representatives of Nigerians living in Portugal.
“We also anticipate a seamless changeover to the new administration. The welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad is a priority for our administration, as I have previously stated,” the president declared.
The President cited the most recent governorship elections in Anambra and Ekiti State to highlight how this administration has repeatedly demonstrated its adamant opposition to election meddling and determination that Nigerians should be permitted to vote for the party and candidate of their choice.
The President also made use of the occasion to urge the Diaspora to always support Nigeria’s unity and warn against using social media to disparage and instigate from a safe and anonymous distance.
‘‘The world is a global village and technology has shrunk the world even more. Although you reside beyond Nigeria’s boundaries you can engage easily with the country. In fact, we see the impact of that engagement clearly on social media.
‘‘This platform has empowered Nigerians in the diaspora and given you great influence. As we have seen, however, social media can be a force for good as well as a force for evil.
‘‘Many countries, including our own have had to take strong measures against some social media platforms to curb their excesses and prevent them from destabilizing our societies.
‘‘I, therefore, call upon you to use social media responsibly. We all want the best for our country and people, so let us strive to build, unite and prosper our nation and people and not to insult and incite from a safe and anonymous distance.’’
President Buhari expressed delight in the successful involvement of Diaspora in various fields such as agriculture, health care, education, ICT, and the food industry in Nigeria.
He noted that many countries, including Nigeria, have shown that their diaspora can be a veritable engine for growth and development.
Acknowledging the huge contribution the Diaspora have made to Nigeria’s economy, the President said:
‘‘In every field of human endeavour, be it the creative industries, sports, health, academia, Nigerians in the diaspora have thrived and leveraged on their skills to raise our country’s profile higher, economically, socially, technologically and culturally.
‘‘It is for these reasons that this Government established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to facilitate and support your engagement with our country for a win-win outcome in our effort to keep Nigerians united at home and abroad.
‘‘You must continue to be our ambassadors-at-large in your comportment, actions and character.
‘‘You must excel and be the best in all your endeavours. While here, you must also not forget home as you are the example we want to project to the rest of the world.’’
The Nigerian president gave the gathering, which was organized by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of NIDCOM, the assurance that the Federal Government will keep up its efforts to spur development across a range of economic sectors.
He also urged people to participate in NiDCOM programs so they could support projects like the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund.
According to statistics, there are 3,000 Nigerians residing in Portugal, according to Alex Enan Kefas, the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, who informed President Buhari that they are often well-behaved and coexist peacefully with local authorities.
About thirteen Nigerians were recently detained and arrested for alleged money laundering and cybercrime offenses, the Ambassador briefed the President.
He explained that after the Embassy’s consular team visited the prison, it became clear that many of the people who had been arrested were innocent of the charges, making the arrests “disproportionate and unjust.”
He claimed that the Mission is making every effort to secure the innocents’ release so they can be reunited with their families.
Saviour Godwin, a professional football player from Nigeria who currently plays for Casa Pia in Portugal, gave President Buhari a jersey during the meeting with the Diaspora.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)