Nigerian Union Diaspora, the umbrella organisation for the social, political, and economic empowerment of Nigerians in the Diaspora, has urged Nigerian-Americans to vote en masse for the Democratic Party candidate, Mrs Hillary Clinton in the November 8 US general elections.
A statement signed by NUD Secretary General, SKC Ogbonnia, and made available to The Point, stated that Nigerian-Americans, who are in their millions, are the most credentialed ethnic group and have remained in the upper half in house-hold-income in the United States.
Ogbonnia added that regrettably, however, this excellence in achievement has not translated to a greater advantage or sustained influence, simply because “our low voting pattern does not reflect our enviable status in the American society.”
He added, “To put it another way, despite our high level of education, we have continued to view politics in a pejorative sense and thus do not always take voting serious.”
NUD however disclosed that the character of the 2016 US general election offers the opportunity for a change for the better, as the election features two main presidential candidates, who present a stark choice for the future of Nigerians in America.
It said, “On the one hand is Donald J. Trump, whose idea of “Make America Great Again” is premised on racism, protectionism, xenophobia, bigotry, and hegemony. With Trump, more than 11 million undocumented immigrants, including many Nigerians, will be deported back to their home countries.
“On the other hand is Clinton, whose campaign theme of “Stronger Together” features a manifesto for fairer policies on race relations, immigration, foreign trade, and education.
“Very strikingly, once elected, Clinton will provide free university education for families on annual income of $125,000 or less – a demography that includes most Nigerians in the United States.”
Ogbonnia stated that these positions informed the decision of NUD to endorse Clinton for president a fortnight ago and also informed this call on all Nigerian-Americans to vote en masse for the Democratic Party candidate.
