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General News of Wednesday, 9 October 2002

Source: .

Nigerians in Ghana Support Obasanjo

At least two million Nigerian residents in Ghana have expressed their support for President Olusengu Obasanjo and his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the presidential elections scheduled for March, next year.

This was the view expressed by the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana, Chief Samuel Okechuku, at the launching and inauguration of President Obasanjo's Campaign Group, known as the Grand Alliance of Nigeria (GAONI) Ghana Chapter in Accra on Monday.

According to Chief Okechuku, the impressive performance put up by Obasanjo in his three years in office has convinced most Nigerians in Ghana to give him another four years opportunity to accomplish his vision for their beloved country. "

Nigerians in Ghana say 'give Obasanjo next four years'," the high commissioner quoted.

Chief Okechuku argued that President Obasanjo deserves a pat on his back for redeeming Nigeria's image in international politics, adding that this achievement alone has encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to rally behind him.

He argued that any moves or talks on impeachment of the president is ill-advice saying, such impeachment would generate friction that might have a retrogressive effect on the country. In view of that danger, Chief Okechuku appealed to the Nigerians to give Shehu Shagari, a former president who is mediating a chance to resolve the problem.

In another development, the group chairman of Grand Alliance, Mr. Kolade Victor Akinjo, who is also special assistant to Obasanjo, explained that the programmes and policies of the alliance are mass-oriented with special interest in building a solid political foundation that would enhance good governance, accountability, transparency and sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

He said the alliance in collaboration with the National Assembly of Nigeria is working tirelessly around the clock to halt the impeachment plan that has been put forward by the assembly, which some political analysts see as a threat to the infant democracy of that country.

Akinjo in supporting of Okechuku's assertion that Nigeria had gained international recognition since Obasanjo assumed the reins of government three yeas ago, disclosed that 47 heads of states including Jacques Chirac of France, Vicente Fox of Mexico, and ex-President Bill Clinton of the USA had visited Nigeria.

Throwing light on some of the nefarious activities some Nigerians have been accused of, Mr. Akinjo said, Nigerian residents in Ghana commit the least number of crimes compared to other Nigerian nationals in Africa, an assertion that drew laughter from the crowd.

To this end, Akinjo has appealed to Nigerians in the country to desist from evil acts that may dent the image of their country as it struggles to gain its reputation worldwide.