The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has issued a strategic call to action for the party’s diaspora members, urging them to transcend their traditional roles as mere election mobilizers. Speaking during a global virtual conference organized by the Directorate of Diaspora and Global Affairs for the “Renewed Hope Ambassadors” (RHA), Yilwatda emphasized that Nigerians abroad serve as the vital face of the nation. He charged the over 500 participants to position themselves as proactive image-makers capable of projecting a positive and accurate narrative about Nigeria and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the international community.
Central to the Chairman’s address was the urgent need for a coordinated defense against the proliferation of misinformation. Acknowledging the corrosive effect of fake news on the administration’s reputation abroad, Yilwatda implored the diaspora chapters to adopt a formalized “counter-misinformation strategy.” He stressed that the administration requires the credible voices of its global citizens to effectively articulate the achievements and policy goals of the President. By serving as an authentic bridge between the home front and the international landscape, the diaspora can play an instrumental role in shaping global perceptions in favor of the current leadership.
Adding his voice to the discourse, the Director General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, reinforced the strategic importance of the diaspora as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s national polity. Governor Uzodimma advised the participants to ensure that their advocacy efforts are streamlined through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to maximize their impact. By speaking with a unified voice and utilizing established institutional frameworks, he noted that the diaspora could move beyond fragmented efforts and transform into a potent political and diplomatic asset for the party’s long-term objectives.
The conference also delved into the historical fragility of the party’s image when faced with well-funded propaganda. Dr. Philip Idaewor, the former Chairman of APC UK, provided a cautionary tale citing the 2014 era, when the then-opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) utilized a tactical document dubbed the “BOW group” to frame the APC as an “Islamic party” among European political circles. This narrative, he observed, became deeply embedded in foreign discourse. Idaewor credited the eventual rectification of this image to the robust and clear communication between the APC’s national secretariat and its diaspora leadership, which fought to dismantle the misinformation.
Drawing from these historical challenges, Dr. Idaewor highlighted a vital prerequisite for success moving forward: the necessity of real-time, transparent information flow. He argued that it is impossible for diaspora chapters to navigate the complexities of global politics and effectively debunk malicious rumors without consistent, direct access to the party’s leadership. He stressed that a seamless feedback loop—defined by high-level coordination and the timely dissemination of verified facts—is the only way to arm the Renewed Hope Ambassadors with the tools required to protect the party’s integrity.
Ultimately, the consensus among the speakers was that the APC must prioritize internal communication as a defensive weapon ahead of the 2027 general elections. The conference, which was officially opened by NiDCOM CEO Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, concluded with a call for renewed commitment to intellectual engagement. By ensuring that diaspora leaders are perpetually updated on party policies and government successes, the APC aims to create a shield against manufactured falsehoods, allowing the “Renewed Hope” agenda to stand on its own merits and silencing disparaging narratives before they can take root in the international space.