Engr. Francis John flew into Atlanta Georgia from Kansas City as early as 10 am with one TipsNews pressman, because the event was scheduled to start at 12 noon. At about 11.45 am most people were present, awaiting others, including the Sandy Spring Police.
At noon the newly appointed consul general, arrived with her members of staff to receive participants. From her approach, she appeared humble, friendly as she socialized with all the participants.
Engr Francis of HOPe Africa, the spokesperson of the rally and signed the collaborative message to the President Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the consulate. As the spokesperson, he observed all protocols. acknowledged the presence of the consul general and her staff, who accompanied her the gate of the consulate.
The letter addressed stakeholders’ meetings, expectations and concerns:
We are seeking international support to February 16th Nigeria Presidential Election and at this moment calling on The Federal Government of Nigeria, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to demonstrate; a democratic process that is free, fair, transparent, peaceful and reflects the will of the Nigerian People. Demand the Government signs the Electoral Act into Law; prevent and mitigate electoral violence, including conflict monitoring, peacebuilding programs and peace messaging.
All our outlets in diaspora are receiving calls from the elderly, veterans, families and relatives, reiterating their fears and concerns of the upcoming elections. These assertions are based on the current insurgencies, hate speeches, continuous violations of human rights, vandalization of properties and massacre of people of faith and belief. Giving rise to uncertainties across the country; consistent killings, kidnappings, human rights violations, deadly insurgencies, displacements, migration, yet the government is adamant about all these. These claims had also been exhausted by the under listed international agencies:
1. Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Elections, U.S. House of Representatives, Sub-Committee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Washington, DC December 13, 2018 https://www.state.gov/p/af/rls/rm/2018/288087.htm, https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-nigeria-at-a-crossroads-the-upcoming-elections/ https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA16/20181213/108793/HHRG-115-FA16-Transcript-20181213.pdf
2. Watch USIP’s two-minute video on why a peaceful Nigeria is critical to America and the world. #PassingTheBaton.
3. Statement of the Second Joint NDI/IRI Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria, Friday, September 28, 2018. https://www.ndi.org/publications/statement-second-joint-ndiiri-pre-election-assessment-mission-nigeria 4. INEC Dialogue with Civil Society Organizations http://democracy-support.eu/nigeria/posts/inec-dialogue-cso
5. 2019: CSOs urge Buhari to ensure free, fair elections, pass vote of confidence n Saraki https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/2019-csos-urge-buhari-to-ensure-free-fair-elections-pass-vote-of-confidence-on-saraki/
6. President Obama YouTube Video proclaiming Peaceful Election to Nigeria.
7. Why Aren’t We Paying Attention to Africa’s Most Important Election? https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-arent-we-paying-attention-africas-most-important-election
Expectations and Concerns:
1. potential attacks on the legitimacy of INEC and the electoral process for political gain;
2. intimidation and partisanship by security forces;
3. heightened insecurity, terrorist attacks on elections institutions, or violence towards voters, observers, or electoral officials;
4. an inability of large numbers of internally displaced persons or persons with disabilities to vote;
5. voter suppression, the use of armed gangs for voter intimidation, and other drivers of electoral violence, including a lack of official condemnation of hate speech and disinformation;
6. wide-spread vote buying that challenges the integrity of the electoral process.
Peaceful election and mutual coexistence in Nigeria are paramount and thought its mandatory call immediately on global communities, policymakers, election observers, print and electronic media to join hands with Nigerians in enhancing peaceful transition. This is notable and not negotiable.
Being that, the diaspora are beneficiaries of international democracies from around the world, most especially in the United States of America, we want to harmonize these benefits, declare our stand, and to reiterate accordingly, every Nigerian in Diaspora and families are not prepared to undergo any civil war or disintegration, as a result of the February 16th Presidential Election. Either of this will immensely affect the entire African continent vis a vis developed countries.
It is essential that the international communities closely monitor this poll, ensuring all candidates irrespective of party inclinations strictly observe signed peace accord and hate speeches.
Nigerians appreciate all the international communities’ concerns; raised by experts; we are as a result of this offering ourselves for collaborative election monitoring programs as desired by all organizations.
In her response to the protest rally, the newly appointed Consul General, Hon. Aisha A Musa acknowledged Nigerians in the diaspora for their goodwill and engaging in a peaceful demonstration. According to her this is the second to third week to assume the office in Atlanta and the group is the first she received.
Hon. Aisha recapped, the ministry of internal and that of external affairs are prepared to ensure free fair and credible poll likewise the government. Reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari is renowned for his integrity. She added that the protest rally group intent is like that of the International Communities.
The Consul General, Atlanta also assured all participants of the delivery of HOPe Africa letter to President Federal Republic of Nigeria immediately.
Several placards were carried, other displayed, expressing fairs and concerns, such as Stop the Killings, Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria, No Voters Intimidation by the Police, Democracy in Nigeria is in Dangers, Stop the intimidation of the Judiciary and Legislators, Nigeria is Not for A Lazy President, Nigeria at a Cro
