Home >> Africa >> Nigeria & Niger  Email  Print Nigerian Diaspora and the New Face of Nigeria Ugo Harris Ukandu - 5/2/2008 It is a common theme these days in almost every major city in America or Europe to notice groups of Nigerians discussing and anticipating the politics, democracy, freedom, business, opportunities and forth coming elections in Nigeria with interest, and how some are planning to either run for election or to influence the out come of the election in Nigeria by campaigning, organizing, fund raising, lobbying or by voting from outside Nigeria. It has gotten to a frenzy state that at any Nigerian gathering or function - in a party, at school, at work and Bars/restaurants - an average Nigerian now is enmeshed in this political frenzy or business opportunities and the debate keep getting into high gear meaning that the Nigerian landacape is really getting better.
It becomes even more interesting that in any given week, there is a Nigerian elected official, business men, corporate heads, Government officials, NGOs or political leader visiting from Nigeria courting Nigerians in America or Europe into their political parties and business men seeking and engaging Nigerians to new opportunites in social or business gathering.
This new economic and political landscape which Nigerians are enjoying is a far cry and different from just 10 years ago when the Military dictatorship was in control of governance with iron fist over the Nigerian people. This pushed thousands of able body and educated Nigerians to flee into exile to different parts of the world. Things have changed in the last ten years since Nigeria embraced democratic rule, after almost 35 years of military rule dictactorship.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Civilian President who was a former Military Head of State - to his credit handed over to a civilian President before retirement during his first stint - came back as a civilian president and he slowly embraced the democratic process and handed over to President Musa Yaradua in April of 2007 - despite being accused of exhibiting some military dictatorship attitude in his style of governing - to his credit did gradually improved on the human right records and democratic rights of Nigerians.
Nigerians all over the world having seen the improved human rights and democratic climate; are now eager to participate in any way necessary to sustain this democratic and human right improvement in Nigeria. In this process, are helping to entrench good governance and to eradicate corruption, mismanagement, ethnic division among other pressing issues facing Nigeria which drove them into exile in the first place.
Nigerians at home, are also aware that in some instances a lot of their present leadership also resided abroad or educated abroad, but came back to Nigeria and became part of the corrupt, inefficient and rotten system which they promised originally to help eradicate.
Political and human Right observers believe that this improved climate in Nigeria is turning passive Nigerians who had given up hope on Nigeria into activists, because it is being felt that if nothing is done by Nigerians living abroad to participate actively; that they might as well forget any hope of going back to Nigeria, even for a visit. For these reasons, most Nigerians are keenly participating in any way to improve the political climate this time around. Also, political observers believes that Nigerians who live in Western Europe, North America and other democratic countries have a lot to contribute as far as democratic ideals and human Right values are concerned, because most of them have participated and have experienced democracy work in the countries they reside.
With this eagerness to participate and for some to contest election, political observers are of the opinion that Nigerians who want to contest election in Nigeria need to go home to participate, and organize themselves on the ground in Nigeria. By doing so they will understand the political climate, because it is quite different from their locations abroad. The advice is for them to go home and learn the new political attitude (good or bad) and the new political dynamics, and find a platform and formula to articulate their agenda to solve the economic and political problems facing the people. The reality is by doing so, they will have the opportunity to learn the need of the people and apply the right formula to the prevailing political and economic climate.
According to some Nigerians who are based in America and are on their way home to engage the system politically, economically or as activits. Some are:
Chief Harry Akande who planed to contes for the Presidency of Nigeria under the ANPP( All Nigerian Peoples Party) Platform and who is also the chairman of the board of trustee of the party, has been in every major city in America promoting his candidacy, and also encouraging and organizing Nigerians in Diaspora to participate in the political process back home in Nigeria to make it a better place.
Chief Sam Uwandu, who contested the Governorship election in Imo State in the last election; said that to serve his people is a desire that he felt from his heart, so that he will make Imo State succeed just as he succeeded in his professional career in America.
Barrister Okechi Okeoma based in Lanham, Maryland, who is a business man and has political ambition in Abia State has this to say, "To be successful in business, you must listen to your customers. In our State we must also listen to the people. It is time to listen to the people, to take action to actualize the people's needs, desires and wants even if we have to sideline our personal interests. My interest to serve is a product of my genuine desire to help our people realize these goals. To be successful in business, you have to have a good inviting environment. To be successful in government, we must strive to have livable villages where quality of life is at least acceptable as on other areas where the people have access to electricity, pipe borne water (bore hole) motorable roads, phones, good education, primary health care system that works"
Mr. Vincent Erondu based in Alexandria Virginia, a Senatorial candidate who ran for the seat in Abia State and who has structures on the ground in Abia State said "One cannot run election on the internet alone in Nigeria, because very few people have access to email or the internet. Meeting the people and talking to them in their villages, homes and towns is the most important way to reach them. Mr. Erondu, also said that by being on the ground one will learn that certain structure and base are needed for certain programs and projects to work, because it takes time for things to work in Nigeria. He also said by being on the ground in Nigeria one will not be tempted to promise heaven on earth, because you see it work in America - America had three hundred years and hard work to get to where it is today". he added.
Mr. Rotimi Osunsan based in Washington, DC. who is a polical activist both in Nigeria and in America have this to say, "To know the mood of the people, one who wants to contest for election in Nigeria have to go to Nigeria to know the need of the people, and have personal interaction with them in their homes, churches, mosque, market etc, and you will then know the full responsibility that you are faced with. "You cannot have any impact if you do not go to Nigeria and spend quality and longer time with them" he said.
In this effort, any Nigeria who wants to go home and contest election in Nigeria must be prepared, because family and financial consideration is very crucial, for it will cost lots of money, time and effort and the recovery from losing an election can be harder than recovery from it if you win in Nigeria.
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