APC Launches Strategy to Engage Nigerians Abroad for Tinubu's Re-Election

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has introduced a five-point plan to get Nigerians living abroad involved in President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign for the 2027 general election.

At the launch of the APC PCC Diaspora Mobilisation Directorate in Abuja on Wednesday, Abike Dabiri, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, called on Nigerians overseas to keep sending money back home. She said their connection with Nigeria is mutual.

The Director of Diaspora Mobilization shared that, "To ensure that we galvanise Nigerians in the diaspora to re-elect our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a second term and consolidate the Renewed Hope Agenda 2.0, themed From Reforms to Prosperity, the Diaspora Directorate will immediately roll out a five-point strategic plan."

"Number one is global structure activation. We will harmonise and activate all our APC diaspora chapters across the five continents, from the United States to the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Australia, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan and every other part of the world."

"We will also reach out to many Nigerians abroad who do not belong to any political party but have been reaching out to us, wanting to join the President’s re-election campaign."

Digital Campaigns and Awareness

"Number two is a digital war room: Operation Tell Your Story. While our brothers and sisters in the diaspora may not yet be able to vote from abroad, they have significant influence at home. We will be launching Operation Tell Your Home Story. Every Nigerian in the diaspora will get short videos, infographics, and other materials to showcase the achievements of this administration."

Dabiri mentioned that the unification of the foreign exchange rate under President Tinubu had been well received by Nigerians abroad. They previously faced challenges with exchange rate changes.

She recognized that removing the fuel subsidy had been hard but necessary, noting that Tinubu chose to address deeper issues instead of just managing existing ones.

The Director of Diaspora Mobilization said, "Number three is diaspora fundraising and compliance. Let me stress this: Nigerians in the diaspora can come together and decide what they want to do, and we will allow them to determine how they wish to support the campaign."

"However, we want to encourage transparency. Those who want to help build the nation can use structured platforms to support campaign activities, voter education materials, town hall meetings, and grassroots mobilization in their states of origin."

Encouraging Voter Registration

"We will carry out awareness programs to support the ongoing PVC awareness campaign. The message is simple: collect your PVC and vote. We will encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to tell their family members back home to collect their PVCs."

She said the Diaspora Directorate will set up a quick-response system to counter misinformation about Nigeria and the Tinubu administration. This will include verified data, fact-checks, and information on the country's investment climate, economic stabilization, and future prospects under President Tinubu.

When asked about the recent comments from Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which suggested Nigerians in the diaspora should stop sending money home, Dabiri stated that diaspora remittances and investments have continued to grow under President Tinubu, despite expectations of a decline. She called this growth a sign of faith in Tinubu’s economic reforms.

Dabiri added that Nigerians living abroad understand the impacts of the old multiple exchange rate system and economic instability. Their past experiences have shaped how they view the current reforms.

The Director continued, "Nigerians in the diaspora understand the situation. As I said, they know what they went through when we did not have a unified exchange rate. They also know what they experienced during periods of economic instability."

"Maybe that is why some people are scared. They may worry about the growing strength of the diaspora and their confidence in this administration. But that is what makes the diaspora unique: they get what is happening."

"What we are telling them to do is use that understanding to educate people back home. They should explain that our economy is stabilising, that the reforms have been tough but necessary, and that we are moving towards the next stage of prosperity."

"Our appeal to Nigerians in the diaspora is that Nigeria needs you, and you also need Nigeria. It is a mutual relationship. Let us continue to strengthen that bond. We should not discourage anyone from sending money home."

President Tinubu inaugurated the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for his 2027 re-election campaign at the Presidential Villa on October 14. He appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as its Director-General.

Since the launch, the APC PCC and its directorates have stepped up preparations for the official start of the party’s campaign, set for October 24 in Kaduna, Kaduna State. President Tinubu is expected to be at the rally.