The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has
faulted what it described as a most irrelevant and absolutely
unintelligent criticism by the PDP, advising the party not to criticize
for criticism sake.
Relations, NIDCOM, explained that organising townhall meetings to brief
Nigerian citizens abroad on the activities of the government back home
is part of its mandate, which the commission is duly fulfilling.
Under President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s Administration, Nigeria not only has
a diaspora commission but also now has a holistic diaspora policy, the
first of its kind in Africa ., targeted at harnessing the enormous
potentials of the millions of Nigerians excelling in all spheres abroad
So, the politicisation of every activity of President Muhammadu Buhari
by the PDP is in bad taste.
They first attempted to ridicule President Muhammadu Buhari by saying
the event in France had been cancelled.
Realising their folly, the opposition went as far as saying that
President Muhammadu Buhari met with only Government officials and not
members of the Nigerian Community.
Now, PDP is singing another tune, trying to down play the highly
successful trip of President Muhammadu Buhari to France.
NIDCOM sees the unwarranted statement by the PDP on Buhari’s visit to
France as ridiculous, ignorant, pedestrian,and laughable.
Town hall meetings are being held in the six geo-political zones
regularly in the country by various arms of government at all levels to
brief the citizens on the activities of the government.
Moreover, President Muhammadu Buhari also meets with various groups and
associations back home.
In as much as we are not holding brief for the Presidency and agencies
responsible for briefing Nigerians in the country, it is pertinent to
say that those in opposition, particularly the major opposition party,
the PDP, should criticise constructively based on facts and not to play
to the gallery on every matter.
We were expecting PDP, through its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, who
issued the statement ,to actually commend this administration because
since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in
2015, and his regular interface with Nigerians in the Diaspora, their
remittances had not only increased significantly, their contributions to
the economy as well as other benefits accruing to the country from its
Diaspora have been duly acknowledged and encouraged.
PDP ought to have listed their own achievements and contributions to the
socio-economic development of Nigeria as compared to the enormous
achievements of this administration, particularly infrastructural
development under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration within the
context of serious revenue shortfall accruing to the country.
