Whatever the reason for ANAC statement, what Mr. Nweke purportedly said is in fact, the truth to its core.  "Nigerians in the Diaspora are inconsequential".  If I may add, we have graduated to being part of the problem of the common man in Nigeria.  In effect, many in the Diaspora have provided the impetus for the excesses of the Nigerian politicians by our actions and inaction. 

Specifically, ANAC release, while calling for calm added that indeed it is no small matter that twenty percent of Nigerian budget and direct financial subsidy of the entire citenzry are provided by Nigerians in the International Communties.  And so what?.  We have also read in various postings how Nigerian in the Diaspora remit millions or even billions of dollars through western union into the Nigerian economy.  Yes, this, in fact, is an addition to the economy of Nigeria, however, its political conseqence is zilch.  It's impact on the status quo of looting frenzy is zero.   How this will change Nigeria's governance is not known.

Perhaps, money sent through western union most of the time end up with hungry relatives who immediately spend it on the basic needs for survival.  The western union money furthermore, alleviates the anguish and pain the current government of the day has subjected the poor masses of Nigeria.  This same money, half the time, end up on the coffers of one of the thieving politicians who has converted state resources to personal business investment.  Part of this money may even end up in one of our irrational investments,  such as, building mansions of no economic value in our various villages amidst despair and poverty.   

Meanwhile, our poor relative who received dollars from the western union has forgotten the pain of losing his job as a result of governmental inhumane action.  He definitely has given up on the government of the day.  His aspiration, faith, and hope are now on the relatives in the Diaspora as he has resigned to praying to God to sustain us in our three-jobs escapades so we can continue to send dollars through western union.  This obvious vicious cycle continues as the politicians become bolder and bolder in their craft.  They now elvate their looting to unimaginable proportion while we roll out red carpets for them whenever they visit to lecture us on the need to send more dollars to pacify the poor masses.

To buttress the points above, almost all the Diaspora Nigerian organizations have one thing in common.  That is, the ignoble habit of rolling out the red carpets for the thieves from Nigeria.   Our usual stars of any occassion are the officials of the corrupt government of Nigeria - the more corrupt you are the more crowd you pull.  As a matter of fact, any organization that fails to highlights the presences of thieves in their conventions or gathering usually end up with scanty attendees.

Moreover, most of the Diasporan organizations are created for the sole purpose of reaching to the seat of power.  A case in point is NIDO, this government-formed organization seized to be effective after forcing out its vibrant and independent-minded Chairman and replaced his administration with yes-men of praise-singing mold.  The last NIDO national election I attended in Washington had such a small crowd that they could fit into a New York City living room.  The various organizations such as Egbe Omo Yoruba, Zumunta and World Igbo Congress are peopled by contractors, subcontractors, and resume-peddling sychopants who are not interested in speaking truth to power, they are not for good governance, and they are not working for the interest of common man in Nigeria.  Their main goal is to get to Aso Rock.

Folks, tell me where the positive effect of the actions of Nigerians in the Diaspora lie.  Are we sending money to Nigeria through western union to foster change in the political system that is mired in corruption?  Are we rolling out red carpets for politicians hoping that after salivating on their feet, they would have a change of heart and stop looting and provide the basic infrasturcture that would alleviate poverty?  Or are we prepared to take the rough route of speaking truth to power by insisting on a corruption-free, open and transparent government?  We have a choice.

In conclusion, Mr. Nweke is right to state that the Nigerian in the Diaspora are inconsequential.  His statement rings truth in all of its coloration.  As a matter of fact, his statement is more of a forecast of the future, telling the illusive Nigerians in the Diaspora that you are of no consequence.  He is right.  The interesting thing is that Mr. Nweke made this forecast avoiding the pifall pionted out by Authur C. Clarke as "failure of nerve".  Mr. Nweke did not fail in his nerve.  He saw the obvious and considered all the relevant facts in front of him before making his call.  Such facts as inconseqential effect of our western union money on the changes in the political system.  Facts such as, rolling out the red carpets and salivating over the Nigerian politicians with our resume in our back pockets hoping to particiapte in the cess pool of corruption.  Facts such as our organizations that are led by contractors, subcontractors, and resume-peddling folks with one and only one goal - to get to Aso Rock.  We are, indeed, inconsequential to the status quo of looting.  We are inconsequential to any political change in Nigeria. 

Please ANAC and others,  leave Mr. Nweke to do his job.   When we, in the Dispora, ceases to be inconsequential, I am sure, Mr. Nweke will say so.