Ex-NIDOE chair hails Senate over independent candidate for elections
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By Femi SHODUNKE
UK: THE former Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Alistair Soyode, has commended the Senate for approving independent candidates in future elections in Nigeria.
Soyode, who founded the first ethnic satellite media organisation in Europe, said in his reaction to the Senate constitutional amendment that the decision was more significant ahead of the 2019 general elections.
He stressed in a news release made available to GatewayMail that the amendment was long overdue, just as he said that the Senators took “a giant step at this time.”
According to him, if the provision receives presidential assent it “will provide an alternative for making Nigeria a greater nation through a new breed of leaders.”
With the passage of the bill, Soyede, who founded BEN Television in UK, has indicated his interest to contest for political office.
He said: “In a season where Nigerians have lost faith in our democracy and political parties or on some candidates of existing political parties, it’s time for all of us to join forces to make Nigeria greater; it is time for a generation of electorates to go out there to vote and support new leadership that can make Nigeria greater than in her present position.
“It’s time for us all to be seen and heard doing the right thing, and Nigerians all-over the world deserve a much better Nigeria than it is at the moment”.
Soyode hailed the National Assembly and the executive for their determination to chart a path to greatness for the country, while also praying that the amendments will pass all other required phases on time before INEC begins the process for the 2019 general election.
The ex-NIDOE leader wondered why diaspora voting rights was not added into the constitutional amendment despite INEC’s commitment to act if amended to allow diaspora voting.
“I am therefore joining the new breed as a leader in alliance with other good leaders who will give millions of Nigerians a better nation and a greater Nigeria,” Soyode declared.
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