President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians resident in Qatar to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he assumes office on May 29, 2023.
While speaking on Tuesday at a Town Hall meeting as part of his visit to the State of Qatar, the president said his administration has conducted credible, transparent, and fair elections, and that they will conclude on Saturday, March 18, with the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
He therefore called on them to “support the incoming government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so that Nigeria will continue to be the beacon of hope and prosperity in our continent and an example for other African countries to emulate.”
Speaking further, the President noted the admirable contributions made by Nigerians living abroad to the nation’s development, noting that his administration had approved a National Diaspora Policy and had worked closely with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to create programs that would encourage these “ambassadors” to do their part to advance their native country.
Yakubu Ahmed, the Nigerian ambassador to Qatar, complimented President Buhari on the smooth running of the presidential and national assembly elections on February 25, 2023. He prayed for equally successful governorship and state assembly elections while stating that the process had demonstrated how powerful Nigeria’s democracy is.
Since their diplomatic relations were established in 2013, Nigeria and the State of Qatar have maintained a cordial relationship. Ambassador Ahmed said the President, saying that there are currently over 7,000 Nigerians living and working in Qatar in a variety of occupations.
“I’m proud to inform you, Your Excellency that majority of our nationals in Doha are professionals who have excelled in their chosen careers, playing critical roles in healthcare, safety, oil and gas, aviation, construction, among other sectors,” he added.
Dr. Arabo Ibrahim, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, spoke on behalf of the Nigerian community in the nation and said he had every reason to congratulate the president, especially for restoring calm in the north-eastern region of Nigeria.
“Our people were chased out of Mubi in Adamawa State by Boko Haran terrorists, peace is back. Now we go there and sleep peacefully. There is a lot of food now. People from the neighboring countries even come to buy food in Nigeria,” he added.
Another member of the community, Professor Akintunde Akinade, also thanked President Buhari for conducting an electoral process “alluded to as one of the best. We have gone through elections many times before and we all know what it’s all about.
This is an election where money has taken a back seat. We’re very grateful to see what has happened this time in the presidential election. Thank you for bringing sanity to the country and the electoral process. We wish that this would continue.”
He praised the President equally for the nation’s infrastructure revolution, his fight against corruption, maintaining Nigeria’s unity, and his well-known campaign for democracy in Africa.
“I really want to thank you for your unwavering critique of African Presidents that really want to stay in office forever. I wish you a well-deserved rest,” he added. Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Committee, organized the occasion.
