The Federal Government on Tuesday accused some Nigerians in diaspora of allegedly funding the secessionist groups which have been portraying the country in bad light.

It called on the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation to counter the false narratives by “secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the plea in Abuja when he received members of NIDO, UK chapter, on a courtesy visit.

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He said, “Instead of contributing their quota to the country’s development, all you hear from a section of Nigerians in diaspora and their allies back home are fake narratives and untrue allegations.

“As an organised and well connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups and global think-tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative and sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in bad light.”

Mohammed said the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), considered Nigerians in diaspora as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, and had established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to provide an organised system of collaborations of Nigerians in diaspora.

The Chairman, NIDO, UK chapter, Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, called on the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill that would enable Nigerians in Diaspora to vote during elections.