A Nigerian in Diaspora group,All Nigerian Natioanals In The Diaspora(ANNID) in collaboration with Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee(NAPAC) said it has trained over 80 diasporans to be deployed to Nigeria as International observers for the 2023 elections.
The group stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday 9th February,2023.
The ANNID Global Chairman,Head of Mission, Peter Mozie said the group has been duly accredited by National Electoral Commission INEC as International observers.
Mozie said that ANNID trained Observers would be deployed alongside local accredited observers across the states and FCT to ensure an hitch free electoral process.He added that the group in partnership with INEC had trained accredited local Observers at no cost.
He assured that the group is non partisan,and will be fair to all candidates and political parties.
He said “We are here to observe the 2023 election, to make sure that the election is conducted freely and credibly. This is not the first time we are doing this observation. In 2011, over 500 diasporas from over 52 countries visited Nigeria to see how we can add value in the democratic process. At the end of the consultation, we all decided that we will get involved in election monitoring and observation to make sure that credible people are elected into office. Since then, we have been observing elections in Nigeria.
“ We are working with our partner, Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee, to make sure that when Nigerians vote, their votes will count and it will usher in a credible administration.
“It does not matter to us who wins the election. All we want is for the election to be free and credible.
The group further reiterated its continued determination, and commitment to the conduct of a free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“It is almost certain that in about two weeks from now, Nigerians will be going into a very crucial election exercise in the history of our nation that will usher in a new leadership in the country”.
“ANNID prides itself on its core principles of professionalism, Impartiality, Neutrality, Autonomy and Excellence. Religion, ethnicity, gender or economic status have no place in our determination in rendering a quality, purposeful and altruistic non partisan service to Nigeria and Africa in general” ANNID Chairman stated.
ANNID’s first accreditation as international election observation Organization was achieved in 2011 and since then ANNID has observed almost all elections in Nigeria, including sub- national level elections.
The group therefore appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari , INEC and Security agencies to ensure that everything necessary for the success of this election are strategically positioned .
“We appeal to all other stakeholders, political parties and aspirants to embrace politics without violence and free of bitterness, while we encourage Nigerians to be prepared to exercise their right at the polls and cast their vote to see a greater Nigeria of our dreams”.Dr Mozie.
The ANNID Deputy Head of Mission for 2023 Elections, Uke Agu,also noted the group work in collaboration with INEC, Security agencies and other stakeholders while on the field.
“We usually send our reports to INEC after our observations and monitoring. In 2015, for instance, we submitted a report that the election was not flawless because in that report, we recorded voter intimidation in Port Harcourt.
“People were killed because they tried voting for a party and in the North, people were not allowed to put posters on the wall. In 2011, the election was free and credible and that was what we reported to INEC.”ANNID Deputy Head of Mission added
ANNID is a registered Non-governmental Organization of Nigerian nationals in the diaspora. We are the ONLY INEC accredited Nigerian Diaspora organization accredited to observe the 2023 elections. ANNID’s vested interest and strategic objective is to support every effort aimed at ensuring that the 2023 elections in Nigeria is transparently conducted, that the sanctity and the integrity of our democracy is preserved to the fullest extent required in accordance with international best practices.
