By Roy Ofori – African Heritage Global Affairs Editor
In a stirring endorsement of civic responsibility and patriotic engagement, Hon. (Dr.) Kenneth Gbandi has praised the Diaspora Vote Protection (DVP) initiative, describing it as “a unique opportunity for the Diaspora to exert their influence on vote protection and the outcome of elections in Nigeria.”
Gbandi, a long-time advocate for Diaspora inclusion and good governance, noted that the initiative marks a significant shift from passive political commentary to active citizen-driven participation. “DVP,” he explained, “is not just another civic campaign, but a practical response to the crisis of voter apathy and distrust in Nigeria’s electoral system.”
The Diaspora Vote Protection (DVP) initiative is a civic partnership program designed to promote voter turnout and safeguard electoral integrity. It seeks to reconnect citizens with the democratic process by empowering communities to take ownership of election monitoring and participation. As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, voter apathy has emerged as a persistent threat. Many citizens, disillusioned by past irregularities, believe their votes no longer count. This growing mistrust, Gbandi warned, “not only weakens democracy but emboldens those who thrive on manipulation, intimidation, and vote buying.”
Dr. Gbandi ADC-DN leader urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to view DVP as a call to move “from analyzing election failures to actively shaping electoral success.” He emphasized that every politics is local, and real change begins within the communities that produce ward councillors, House of Assembly members, National Assembly representatives, governors, and ultimately, the president. “This initiative is about taking responsibility where it matters most which are our immediate communities,” he said. “If we continue to stand aside, we risk losing even the small gains we have made. The biggest mistake the Diaspora can make is to give up on Nigeria. That would only embolden the very forces that have corrupted our democracy.”
Gbandi the longest serving Diaspiea impactful leader observed that Nigeria’s political system has “weaponized poverty,” using economic desperation as a tool to buy loyalty and suppress genuine participation. The DVP, he said, seeks to counter that by providing minimal financial and logistical support to trusted community members, ordinary voters who are ready to defend their civic values and encourage others to vote without fear or inducement. He explained that by supporting a minimum of 30 local observers with ₦10,000 each – ₦300,000 in total, or less than 200 dollars, the Diaspora is showing presence and building a network of community-based election observers and monitors. “This initiative keeps the honest ones honest,” he added. “By supporting those willing to stand up for integrity, we give our democracy a fighting chance. Let them be our extended eyes and ears at the grassroots.”
The 2023 senatorial candidate for Delta North acknowledged concerns that the initiative could be misinterpreted as vote buying or subject to abuse. However, he noted that every system can be vulnerable if not properly structured. “We in the Diaspora know that election monitoring anywhere in the world is never cheap,” he said. “In Nigeria, even polling agents officially engaged by parties or INEC receive logistical support, and that’s often where the greatest temptation lies, even for the most honest individuals. The DVP initiative is not about buying loyalty but about keeping the honest ones honest—providing minimal support so that genuine citizens can perform their civic duty with dignity, free from the pressures of inducement. It’s a practical safeguard to protect integrity where poverty and political manipulation often test it most.”
Expressing further optimism, Gbandi disclosed that more Diaspora organizations are signing up to join the initiative, including the Global Coalition for Sustainable Development Network (GCSDN). He described this as “a powerful sign that the Nigerian Diaspora is ready to transition from spectators to active stakeholders in the country’s democratic future.” He reaffirmed that the Diaspora has always been Nigeria’s moral compass and economic backbone, and through DVP, it can now also become a guardian of the ballot, protecting the people’s mandate and restoring faith in the electoral process even as we continue to push for Diaspora voting rights.
He appealed to more Nigerians abroad not to lose hope but to sign up for the initiative. “Our collective influence, when properly channeled, can make the difference between despair and democratic renewal,” he said. “DVP gives us that platform, one community, one polling unit, one honest vote at a time.”
African Heritage Global Affairs continues to spotlight transformative initiatives that bridge the Diaspora and the homeland in pursuit of democratic accountability, civic empowerment, and national rebirth.
