Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the worsening plight of Nigerians abroad, revealing that many citizens experiencing xenophobic attacks in South Africa would rather remain there than return to Nigeria.
Obi made the remarks during a dinner organised for NDC aspirants in Abuja shortly after returning from South Africa, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the party’s media team.
He said efforts were made to support distressed Nigerians willing to return home, but many declined the offer, insisting that living conditions in Nigeria were even more difficult.
“I just returned from South Africa last night. You know what Nigerians are facing there and in several other African countries,” Obi said.
“I addressed them and told them that if things were working properly in Nigeria, most of you would not be here. We provided facilities for them to return, but many said they would rather die there than come back because conditions at home are worse.”
Obi also disclosed that he held meetings with political leaders, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, to discuss ways of improving relations between South Africans and other African nationals.
According to him, discussions with ministers and party leaders in South Africa were productive and focused on reducing tensions affecting foreign nationals.
The former Anambra State governor criticised the Federal Government for allegedly failing to support Nigerians facing challenges abroad.
“It is not only in South Africa that Nigerians face difficulties; they also have problems in many other countries,” he said.
“I have asked leaders in some of those countries whether officials from our government had visited, and the answer was no. If your country does not stand for you, who will?”
Obi further lamented Nigeria’s declining security situation despite the country’s historic contributions to global peacekeeping operations.
“Nigeria once played major roles in maintaining peace around the world and even commanded United Nations peacekeeping missions. Today, Nigeria cannot secure itself. That is unacceptable,” he added.
Meanwhile, NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson explained why the party was unable to introduce electronic voting during its primaries as earlier planned.
Dickson stated that although the digital voting platform had been developed, additional testing was necessary to prevent technical failures.
“Any future NDC primary within the next few months, and certainly future elections, will allow registered voters to vote using their phones,” he said.
He added that the party was focused on innovation and was not created as “a special purpose vehicle for any individual” but as a platform driven by ideology and service.
Also speaking at the event, former Board of Trustees Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, urged aspirants who may lose party tickets to remain committed to the NDC.
Galadima blamed the election timetable introduced by the ruling APC-led National Assembly for putting pressure on the party’s preparations.
“If there are multiple aspirants in a constituency, only one person can emerge as the flag bearer,” he noted.
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