A U.S.-based Nigerian organisation, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), has called for violence-free general elections in Nigeria in 2019.
The Nigerian community organisation also challenged Nigerians at the homeland to exercise their civic duties to enthrone a government that will represent their aspirations.
They made the call at the 2018 Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York, saying 2019 is another opportunity for Nigeria to get its priorities right.
President of OAN, Mr Solomon Bakare, while addressing thousands of Nigerians who thronged the annual festival, said the diasporas should also be given voting rights.
Dansalami, while addressing the gathering of Nigerians at the annual festival, also warned that the consequences of selling their votes could not be quantified.
“The election is coming, we want Nigerians to vote wisely. We want them to use their voting power judiciously; we don’t want them to waste their vote during the election.
“We know that politicians will come to them and give them bag of garri but then they will not see another bag of garri for the next four years.
“That is why we want them to vote wisely. Don’t vote for somebody who will give you something today and you will not see him again until for the next four years.
“We will continue to tell our people here to drum it into the ears of their people back home to vote wisely.
“Because, we are praying to God to give us a good leader, one that will actually care for the best interest of Nigeria and not those who will only be interested in their pockets.
“We are also telling our leaders to look at Nigerians in the Diaspora; we can really help to develop Nigeria, build strong economy and return Nigeria to its glorious day,” Dansalami said.
Some other Nigerians who addressed the festival also spoke in a similar vein, and challenged the political leaders to fulfil their campaign promises.
OAN was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned Nigerians to address the needs of the Nigerian community.
Dansalami said at that time, Nigeria and Nigerians were suffering seriously from negative stereotypes in the American media.
He said prior to OAN’s formation, no organisation existed that was committed to broader issues facing the Nigerian community in the United States.
“OAN filled the void by creating an umbrella organization, which embraced Nigerians from all walks of life, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“OAN immediately dedicated itself to enhance the image of Nigerians in the U.S. and address the negative stereotypes of Nigerians in American media and culture,” he said. (NAN)