Nigerians abroad financing secessionist groups, says FG

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, accused some Nigerians in diaspora of supposedly financing the secessionist groups which have been depicting the nation in bad light.

It urged the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation to counter the false narratives by “secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the appeal in Abuja when he welcomed members of NIDO, UK chapter, on a courtesy visit.

Mohammed said, “Instead of contributing their quota to the country’s development, all you hear from a section of Nigerians in diaspora and their allies back home are fake narratives and untrue allegations.

“As an organised and well connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups and global think-tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative and sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in bad light.”

The Minister said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari considered Nigerians in diaspora as critical shareholders in the Nigerian project, and had recognised the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to offer an organised system of partnerships of Nigerians in diaspora.

The Chairman, NIDO, UK chapter, Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, urged the National Assembly to speed up the bill passage that would allow Nigerians in Diaspora to vote during elections.