2015: Diaspora Jonathan Support Group Canvasses Vote for His Re-election
NEW YORK, NY, MARCH. 18 - The largest Nigeria Diaspora support group for President Goodluck Jonathan in America has
embarked on a 10-day massive telephone call to reach millions of Nigerians back home to cast their votes for the
reelection of Goodluck Jonathan back in office for a second term.
This was made known in New York by the Chairman of the Diaspora Nigerians in America, Dr. Chika Onyeani, whose group has
been working tirelessly with Nigerians in America and Canada to educate them about the great accomplishments of the
President and why he needs to be reelected. It will be recalled that the group held the "Goodluck Jonathan Appreciation
Day" in August, last year.
There are millions of Nigerians abroad who support Goodluck Jonathan, but whose family members may have been misinformed
about Jonathan's accomplishments. The task is for each Nigerian abroad to get on to their phones and talk to their
family members to ensure they have picked up their PVCs, and if they are not already supporters of the President, to
convince them to vote for him. Also, there has been a lot of propaganda on behalf of Gen. Buhari by former associates of
President Barack Obama, who most of us have supported financially in his campaign and voted for, and we have been
countering that in every way we could, especially through our own media outlets.
"It is obvious that Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot vote in this election, but we can get millions of Nigerians in the
Diaspora to call back home to their relatives - fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and others - to ensure that they
have collected their PVCs and convince them to vote for Goodluck Jonathan," said Dr. Onyeani. "Nigerians in the Diaspora
know that, though they are unable to vote this year, that they would have the opportunity to vote in 2019, because of
the initiative that President Jonathan put through the proceedings of the National Conference, which recommended the
process."
"It is unfortunate that some Nigerians have decided to judge Jonathan on two things only, Boko Haram and Chibok girls,
orchestrated by the Boko Haram that was established to destabilize the Jonathan administration," Onyeani said. "But
Diaspora Nigerians in America believe that one of the greatest achievements of Goodluck Jonathan is laying a solid
foundation for the growth of democracy in Africa's most populous country. Look at the flourishing opposition group, look
at flourishing media houses that are able to write and publish all kinds denigrating attacks on the Jonathan
administration without hindrance, look at state governors declaring a holiday because a presidential candidate is
visiting the state and the governor was not challenged. These are the makings of a solid foundation for democratic
growth," Onyeani said.
"Also those of us in the Diaspora cannot forget the pride of Nigerians on how the Jonathan administration moved quickly
to stanch the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, saving thousands from infection and death, putting Nigeria on a pedestal of
being a country to emulate on how to contain the Ebola disease. Every Nigerian abroad was extremely happy to be
identified as a Nigerian. Goodluck Jonathan must be commended for having saved Nigerians the unfortunate fate that
befell on other Africans in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone."
In this period of the observation of the International Day of Women, the Diaspora Nigerians in America noted with pride
the hundreds of high-powered women that Jonathan has appointed to his administration. It is without a doubt one of the
most commendable aspects of President Jonathan in recognizing the abilities and contributions of women. Women members of
the Diaspora Nigerians in America have enthusiastically endorsed and urged women in Nigeria to go out en masse and vote
for Jonathan. Also, a delegation of Diaspora Nigerians will be in Nigeria to convey our message to Mr. President.
The Special Coordinator for Africa Diaspora, former Ambassador Vincent Okobi, who attended the National Conference as
representative of the African Diaspora, has on his part, urged Nigerians living in the neighboring states to ensure that
they are registered to vote, have collected their PVCs and must return to Nigeria to vote for President Jonathan.
ENDS