By Victor Bieni, Asaba
The Convener, All Nigerian Political Parties in diaspora, Hon. Kenneth Gbandi has described as unpatriotic faulting the recent withdrawal of the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) on the plan conference to address the poor security situation in Nigerian.
Our reporter learnt this from Hon. Kenneth Gbandi (MPS, UPA), who is currently the Leader ADC-DN /Deputy National Chairman Diaspora Engagement, African Democratic Congress in a press Statement made available to Nigerian media Organizations call on Nigerians in diaspora to be more committed to towards the liberation of Nigerian citizens.
The press Statement reads in parts: ” The Ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy- Martin Luther King Jr.”
“Our attention has been brought to the above subject matter of withdrawal of participation by APC. We were pleasantly surprised that APC Diaspora agreed to be part of this patriotic event in the first place. But it turned out to be a false hope”.
” The current precarious security situation in Nigeria incubated, hatched and flourished under the APC incumbent government. We have had the hope that APC Diaspora will be different from APC Nigeria, which now turned out to be a false hope”.
“We are aware that APC Diaspora has been under intense pressure to pull out of this conference of national patriotic importance. APC Diaspora has also just shown that they are honestly not different from APC Nigeria and are afraid to speak up and speak out about the current security situation and sufferings of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. APC Diaspora has just, like their counterpart and parent body in Nigeria, put party above country”.
Hon. Gbandi noted that APC diaspora, like all the other political parties, vetted and approved the final draft information for the conference which they said is currently in circulation before the purported withdrawal over pressure from powerful forces within the party.
The Development expert stated that the good News is that, “the conference is meant for all courageous Diaspora Political Parties, courageous Diaspora at large and partners to Speak Up and Speak Out, however, that it will proceed as planned on Sat. 27th Feb. 2021, by 6.00 PM Abuja Time and will be streamed live to diverse media platforms”.
According to the World distinguished development consultant, the worsening Nigerian situation on Herdsmen attacks, reprisal attacks, kidnappings, agitations on true federalism, diaspora commission, diaspora voting rights, and total eradication of 1999 Constitution for a new constitution, as well as the exodus of Nigerians from their current locations reminiscent of the ominous past should worry all patriotic Nigerians.
According to Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, the immediate past president, Nigerians in diaspora Organizations (NIDOE), Continental Europe, the conference would be an opportunity to draw the attention of fellow Diaspora and their international friends to the need to undertake all that is necessary in order to avert what diaspora Nigerians see as impending dangers that will do Nigeria, Nigerians and the international community no good.
He frowned at any person opposing this noble and patriotic call, he stated that the person cannot claim to be a patriot Nigerian, while he asked: Are we being led by patriots? Let APC answer this question.