The United Kingdom Chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO UK) has rejected claims by certain individuals operating under the banner of ‘NIDO Worldwide’ to represent the views of Nigerians in the diaspora globally.
The organisation said the recent statement issued by the individuals in response to observations contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Report on the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) did not represent the position of NIDO UK Chapter.
Taslim Gbaja-Biamila, Chairman of NIDO UK Chapter, in a statement issued in London on September 28, said neither the chapter nor its members had mandated any individual or organisation to speak on their behalf on the matter.
‘The NIDO UK Chapter has noted the publication of a statement issued by certain individuals under the banner of ‘NIDO Worldwide’ regarding observations contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Report relating to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
‘As Chairman of NIDO UK Chapter, I wish to state clearly that the publication does not represent the views, position or authority of NIDO UK Chapter. Neither the Chapter nor its members have mandated any individual or body to speak on their behalf in relation to this matter’, he said.
NIDO UK, however, said it supported transparency, accountability and good governance in public institutions, while acknowledging the constitutional responsibilities of the Auditor-General for the Federation, the National Assembly and other competent oversight authorities.
It stressed that such oversight must be conducted within the principles of due process, fairness and institutional integrity.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as attempts by certain individuals and groups to create the impression that they had a universal mandate to represent Nigerians in the diaspora.
According to the chapter, the Nigerian diaspora is diverse, independent and geographically dispersed, making it inappropriate for any individual or self-appointed body to claim authority to speak for all diaspora organisations, communities or NIDO chapters without a recognised and democratically conferred mandate.
‘The Nigerian diaspora is diverse, independent and globally dispersed. No individual or self-appointed body can legitimately claim to speak on behalf of all diaspora organisations, communities or NIDO chapters without a clearly established, recognised and democratically conferred mandate,’ Gbaja-Biamila said.
The NIDO UK chairman further questioned the representative status of the purported global structure behind the statement, saying the chapter did not recognise it as having the authority to formulate policy positions or issue pronouncements on behalf of independent NIDO chapters worldwide.
‘The publication in question appears designed not merely to comment on audit observations but to project the authority of a purported global structure whose representative status remains disputed by many diaspora stakeholders.
‘NIDO UK Chapter does not recognise any such body as possessing authority to formulate policy positions or issue pronouncements on behalf of independent NIDO chapters across the world’, he said.
On the Auditor-General’s report, NIDO UK said the observations should be addressed through the appropriate constitutional and statutory institutions in Nigeria.
The organisation stressed that audit observations should not automatically be interpreted as findings of criminal liability or proof of wrongdoing against individuals.
It said the appropriate response was for the relevant institutions to examine the issues through established oversight mechanisms, documentary evidence, professional scrutiny and due process.
‘The issues raised within the Auditor-General’s Report are matters for the appropriate constitutional and statutory institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘Audit observations are not findings of criminal liability, nor do they constitute proof of wrongdoing by any individual’, the statement said.
NIDO UK also noted NIDCOM’s public commitment to cooperate with relevant authorities and provide documentation required to address the observations raised in the Auditor-General’s report.
The chapter said it welcomed the commission’s position and expected all parties to engage constructively, transparently and responsibly throughout the process.
The organisation also placed on record its continued confidence in Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, citing her role in strengthening engagement between Nigeria and its diaspora.
According to NIDO UK, Dabiri-Erewa has been instrumental since the establishment of NIDCOM in promoting diaspora participation in national development, assisting Nigerians in distress abroad and elevating diaspora affairs within Nigeria’s national policy framework.
‘Under her leadership, NIDCOM has become an important bridge between Nigeria and millions of Nigerians living overseas,’ the organisation said.
It added that while no public institution should be exempt from scrutiny, such scrutiny should be objective, evidence-based and conducted through lawful institutions.
NIDO UK said public campaigns capable of undermining confidence in institutions before due process had been completed could weaken the very structures established to serve Nigerians abroad.
The organisation said the Nigerian diaspora had consistently advocated for strong, credible and effective institutions capable of advancing its interests and, therefore, stakeholders should support accountability without weakening the institutions created to serve Nigerians living outside the country.
It called on diaspora leaders and organisations to exercise restraint and responsibility in public discourse, urging them to respect established processes in addressing issues affecting the diaspora.
‘NIDO UK Chapter remains steadfast in its commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability and constructive engagement in all matters affecting Nigerians in the diaspora.
‘However, accountability must be advanced through established constitutional mechanisms, lawful institutions and recognised oversight processes, not through individuals or organisations claiming to speak on behalf of the global diaspora without a clear, legitimate or democratically conferred mandate’, Gbaja-Biamila said.
He said public institutions should be given the opportunity to respond to questions through appropriate channels, while oversight bodies should be allowed to perform their responsibilities without interference or politicisation.
‘We support transparency and proper scrutiny of public institutions, but such scrutiny must be conducted responsibly, fairly and without prejudice,’ he said.
The NIDO UK chairman reaffirmed the chapter’s support for Dabiri-Erewa and NIDCOM, saying the organisation remained committed to working with genuine stakeholders to promote the interests of Nigerians in the diaspora, strengthen institutions and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
‘We remain committed to working with all genuine stakeholders to promote the interests of Nigerians in the diaspora, strengthen our institutions and advance Nigeria’s development through unity, professionalism and constructive engagement,’ he said.