By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians living in the diaspora to support the President-elect, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he takes over the reins of government on May 29.
In a statement on Wednesday by Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Buhari made the call at a town hall meeting in Doha during his visit to Qatar for a conference.
President Buhari said his administration set forward to emplace credible, transparent and fair elections which will conclude on Saturday, March 11, with the governorship and state houses of assembly elections.
He, therefore, called on them to “support the incoming government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that Nigeria will continue to be the beacon of hope and prosperity in our continent and an example for other African countries to emulate.”
Speaking further, the President acknowledged the noble roles that Nigerians in Diaspora all over the world have been playing in the development of Nigeria, adding that his administration had approved a National Diaspora Policy, and supported the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) all the way to develop programmes for the engagement of Nigerians in the Diaspora for the ‘ambassadors’ to contribute their quota towards the development of their fatherland.
In his remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Mr Yakubu Ahmed, congratulated Mr Buhari on conducting successful presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, 2023. He said the process has proven that Nigeria’s democracy is indeed strong while praying for equally successful polls this weekend.
Mr Ahmed informed the President that Nigeria and the State of Qatar had maintained a brotherly bilateral relationship since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2013, noting there are currently about 7,000 Nigerians residing in Qatar and gainfully engaged in diverse areas of human endeavours.
“I’m proud to inform you that the majority of our nationals in Doha are professionals who have excelled in their chosen careers, playing critical roles in healthcare, safety, oil and gas, aviation, and construction, among other sectors,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian community in the country, Dr Arabo Ibrahim, a Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, said he had every reason to thank the President, especially for restoring peace in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.
“Our people were chased out of Mubi in Adamawa State by Boko Haran terrorists, peace is back. Now we go there and sleep peacefully. There is a lot of food now. People from the neighbouring countries even come to buy food in Nigeria,” he added.
Another member of the community, Professor Akintunde Akinade, also thanked President Buhari for conducting an electoral process “alluded to as one of the best. We have gone through elections many times before and we all know what it’s all about.
“This is an election where money has taken a back seat. We’re very grateful to see what has happened this time in the presidential election. Thank you for bringing sanity to the country and the electoral process. We wish that this would continue.”
He equally lauded the President for the infrastructural revolution in the country, his anti-corruption war, keeping Nigeria together as well as his well-known democratic crusade in Africa.
“I really want to thank you for your unwavering critique of African Presidents that really want to stay in office forever. I wish you a well-deserved rest,” he added.
