No fewer than 80 diasporans will be deployed as observers for the 2023 elections, a detail announced Thursday at a press conference by the All Nigerian Nationals in the Diaspora (ANNID). Global Chairman Peter Mozie explained that trained personnel will be stationed across the states to support the democratic process alongside local observers, ensuring that all political parties receive equal attention.
“We are here to observe the 2023 election and make sure it is conducted freely and credibly,” Mozie said. He noted that this is not the first time ANNID has undertaken such a mission. In 2011, more than 500 diaspora members from 52 countries visited Nigeria to assess how they could contribute to the democratic process. Following those consultations, the group committed to election monitoring and observation to help ensure that credible candidates are elected. Since then, ANNID has continued to observe Nigerian elections.
“This time the situation is different,” Mozie added. “We are working with our partner, the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee, to guarantee that Nigerians’ votes count and that a credible administration is ushered in.” He emphasized that the effort will not be “business as usual.” The organization will announce its arrival, kick‑start the pre‑election observation process, and deploy trained personnel to all 36 states, while also training INEC observers to further support the democratic process.
Mozie clarified that the group’s focus is on a free and credible election, not on who wins. Regarding the reports ANNID submits after monitoring, he said, “We usually send reports to INEC. In 2015, for example, we reported that the election was not flawless, documenting voter intimidation in Port Harcourt, killings of voters for a particular party, and restrictions on political posters in the North. In contrast, we reported that the 2011 election was free and credible.”
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