Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the worsening condition of Nigerians living abroad, revealing that many citizens facing xenophobic attacks in South Africa would still rather remain there than return home.Obi made the remarks during a dinner organised for aspirants of the NDC in Abuja on Monday, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the party’s media team.
Speaking shortly after returning from South Africa, Peter Obi said he engaged with Nigerians living there and discovered that many had lost hope in conditions back home.“I just came back last night from South Africa. You know what Nigerians are going through in South Africa and so many other African countries,” Obi said.
He explained that efforts were made to support distressed Nigerians willing to return home, but many rejected the offer. “We provided facilities for them to come back. But most of them told me they would rather die there than come back’.
They said things are even worse at home,” he added. Peter Obi noted that he met with political leaders in South Africa, including former President Thabo Mbeki, to discuss ways of improving relations between South Africans and other African nationals.
According to him, the discussions focused on promoting peaceful coexistence and addressing the challenges faced by foreign nationals.The former governor also criticised the Federal Government for what he described as inadequate support for Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.“It is not only in South Africa that Nigerians have problems, but they have problems in other countries,” Obi stated.
“I have had cause to ask leaders in those countries if our government has visited and the answer is no. If your country is not there for you, who will care for you?”
Obi further lamented Nigeria’s growing insecurity, despite the country’s historic contributions to international peacekeeping missions.“Nigeria played a role in securing nations since the Second World War. We have been part of peacekeeping and commanded United Nations peacekeeping forces globally.
But today, Nigeria cannot secure itself. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Seriake Dickson explained why the NDC was unable to introduce electronic voting for its primaries as earlier planned. According to Dickson, the technology and application for the process had already been developed but required further testing to prevent technical failures. “After now, any other primary in the NDC for the next three months upward, and certainly by the next round of elections, every registered voter will start using their phone to vote,” he said. He added that the party was being built on ideology and service, not for the interest of any individual.
Also speaking at the event, Buba Galadima urged aspirants who may not secure party tickets to remain loyal and committed to the NDC.Galadima blamed the tight political timetable on the APC-led administration and advised party members to remain united ahead of future elections.“The time pushed on us by the APC government through the National Assembly is not a friend of the NDC,” he said.
“If you are about two to 17 aspirants in any constituency, you must bear in mind that only one of you can have the opportunity to fly the flag.”
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