By Emman Ozoemena
Interesting news about how Nigerians are making history outside Nigeria. This makes me wonder why the fuss and how Nigerians seeking to run for political offices outside of their home state of origin are usually hounded by political opponents who see their non-indigenousness as a ‘political weapon.’
In the United States of America during the mid-term elections in November 2022, there were 11 candidates of Nigerian descent that won elections into the U.S. Congress, and State Congresses. The Washington DC Shadow Representative in the Congress was won by a Nigerian American, Dr. Oye Owolewa, who was re-elected for another term.
The Nigerian political class and their supporters need to learn from the United States, where candidates in elections are judged on competence, capacity, and capability not on the basis of state of origin or ethnic descent or religious affiliations.
Congratulations to Hon. Justice Bakre of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. May citizens of countries covered by the jurisdiction of the Court benefit from his wealth of knowledge and experience in the dispensation of Justice. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Emman Ozoemena is an Abuja-based policy analyst. He can be reached on ozoemman@yahoo.ca
