Obi in US, pitches to fellow citizens to help make Nigeria a better country
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“Obi, who is excited about the trips, said he is anxious because Diasporas who are living in a good system have a lot to impact for the challenges ahead.
“I need to tap their brains on the task ahead, they are all as anxious as all of us for a better Nigeria in our lifetime, I am excited to meet them all” – The Obi-Datti Media Office.
Peter Obi, on tour in Canada and the United States for Town Halls with Diaspora Nigerians at their invitation, is leveraging on the outpouring of desire by fellow citizens for a leader to lift Nigeriana out of quagmire and ridicule.
Only a visionary and thinker can fix Nigeria, he said in a series of tweets from the US on Tuesday, urging Nigerians at home, especially the youth, to rally to the cause, and Diasporans to use their network and numbers for positive change.
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate urged Diaspora Nigerians to play their role in holding the Nigerian government accountable, stressing that besides the right to vote, it is also sacred to hold government accountable to ensure good governance.
Obi’s Town Halls across Canada and the US began on 28 August and will end on 4 September.
Below is the snapshot of his tweets collated by The PUNCH from his verified Twitter handle, which bare his vision for Nigeria and the need for voters to use their power to effect positive change in leadership in the 2023 ballot.
Visionary, thinker
“It can only take one visionary leadership and disruptive thinker for Nigeria to be put back on the right trajectory. Our vision and mission is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production. – PO,” he tweeted.
He also urged Nigerians in overseas to exploit their network and numbers in demanding better government in their home country.
Network and numbers
“You have the network and numbers to be able to negotiate the priorities of the government, especially during the election period as the one we are embarking on soon.
“You should be able to place pressing issues on the agenda of the candidates and subsequently, on the front burners for the new government that will be formed. – PO.”
Holding government to account
“Besides voting, a citizen’s most coveted role is holding an elected government accountable.
“With your education, exposure and understanding of government responsibilities in your host country, and collective leverage, it is your duty to help hold your state and national government accountable back home.”
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Good governance, rule of law
“[If elected], we will pursue intangible assets of good governance, rule of law, security of lives and properties, through an aggressive increase in personnel and equipment and inclusive training of operatives in our security agencies.
“We will emphasize patriotism, national interest, and national morale, quality of government, political will and character, which are all complimentary to the other assets. We will ensure that we have these assets in place and stress asset optimization. – PO.”
Pivoting from consumption to production
“In the New Nigeria we seek, we must think out of the box and at times, disruptively.
“As government and as Nigerians in Diaspora, we must henceforth contemplate those global best practices that will confer comparative advantage on us, and replicate known successes that can move Nigeria from consumption to production. – PO
“No country thrives economically merely by exporting its raw materials and importing virtually everything. Such a disposition weakens our economic base and employment capabilities. – PO
“Nigeria can no longer afford to remain a consuming economy. While meeting local demands, she must transition into trading with manufactured and finished goods, and playing in the technology in the export market. – PO”
Voters’ enthusiasm excites Obi
The Obi-Datti Media Office explained in a statement that his trip is to enable him interact with Nigerians in Diaspora eager to make their own contributions to the mission of rebuilding the country.
The Media Office said it has received so many calls from numerous Nigerians seeking to know and to follow Obi’s itinerary on the tour.
“Obi, who believes very strongly that Diasporas are critical to the future of moving Nigeria forward, said he intends to make such consultations abroad regularly in the course of the campaigns, the statement said, per reporting by ThisDay.
“Obi, who is excited about the trips, said he is anxious because Diasporas who are living in a good system have a lot to impact for the challenges ahead.
“I need to tap their brains on the task ahead, they are all as anxious as all of us for a better Nigeria in our lifetime, I am excited to meet them all.”
“Obi’s messages ahead of 2023, which resonates with Nigerians, especially youths who are turning it into a political movement, has attracted the attention of Nigerians and indeed Africans in Diaspora who want to share in his vision and invited him to come over for various conferences, meetings and interviews.”
