Delta State Went to Bed as PDP and Woke Up as APC, Labour Party, Internally Divided; ADC Steadfast, Politician and Diaspora Leader, Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi - Part Two

 Delta State Went to Bed as PDP and Woke Up as APC, Labour Party, Internally Divided; ADC Steadfast, Politician and Diaspora Leader, Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi - Part Two

Pen Master: Let me return you to Nigerian politics. Gbandi, are you willing to go into the contest again? 

Gbandi: (laughing) Public service has always been my true calling. If the people and my party base express confidence in my candidature and if together we can build an organized, issue-driven campaign that truly advances the interests of my Anioma region and people, I will give it thoughtful consideration. However, any campaign I associate with must be rooted in service, not ego. It must be guided by a clear development blueprint and supported by strong grassroots structures capable of transforming vision into tangible results. That said, it is now evident that elections without integrity and accountability have lasting consequences. Today, millions of young Nigerians who constitute nearly 70% of our population are disillusioned and frustrated. Many are resorting to self-help and, in extreme cases, risking everything to migrate to Europe and America in search of dignity and opportunity. In the end, we are all caught in a form of collective national punishment, facing economic hardship and social instability that could have been avoided through good governance and credible leadership. Still, I remain deeply optimistic. Nigeria’s story is far from over, and I believe that a new dawn of justice, opportunity, and shared prosperity is on the horizon. Joy is indeed on its way.

Pen Master: ..but why is it always difficult for our diaspora returnees to win elections here at any level? Hon Dr. Gbandi, I have been wondering about it.

Gbandi: This is quite an interesting question. You see, there are several reasons why Diaspora candidates often face unique challenges in Nigerian politics. To begin with, many of them lack strong local party networks, and there’s still a lingering suspicion that Diaspora returnees are out of touch with realities at home. Ironically, that perception is misplaced as most Diaspora Nigerians are actually well-informed and deeply connected to national issues, often more so than many of their compatriots within the country. Another key challenge is funding and logistics. Many aspirants plan their homecoming without aligning with the political calendar, resulting in poor timing and late mobilization. Personally, I make it a point to return home every three months to engage directly with my people. Sustained presence on the ground, genuine partnerships with local stakeholders, transparent funding mechanisms, and policies that reflect a true understanding of local challenges are essential for building credibility. As the longest-serving Nigerian Diaspora leader, and through my interactions with members of the National Assembly, I can confidently say that some legislators harbor an inferiority complex. There’s often a perception that Diaspora professionals are coming to take over their positions, which sometimes leads to silent resistance within the political establishment. To bridge this divide, Diaspora candidates must begin early to building trusted local teams well before election season, investing time in relationship-building, and earning the confidence of the people on the ground. Ultimately, it’s about partnership, not competition, and about service, not ambition.

Pen Master: To your community now. You are from Akwukwu-Igbo, an Anioma community in Delta State. Would you say your people have seen political gains in the past two years? 

Gbandi: Progress has been mixed. There have few cosmetic community development projects. Town hall renovation, painting of the LGA Secretariat, but youth empowerment programs, and a growing wave of Diaspora-driven outreach are growing. Examples include the Diaspora Healthcare Initiative, scholarship programs, sports outreach efforts, as well as labour and housing projects connected to the Diaspora City concept. Political progress has not kept pace with these social and economic contributions. We have yet to see a proportional increase in representation or resource allocation to Akwukwu Igbo as the local government headquarters and neighbouring towns that match the level of individual and community efforts and investment. Akwukwu-Igbo, despite being the local government headquarters, most major activities still take place outside the town and that should not be the case. We must now move from cosmetic empowerment projects to sustained development, ensuring that these initiatives translate into stronger political influence and shared prosperity not just for a few, but for everyone in the LGA

Pen Master: Hon Dr. Gbandi, enough of Nigerian politics now. Briefly, tell us the roles you have played as a leader in the diaspora.

Gbandi: Okay, I have had the privilege of serving in several leadership capacities within the Nigerian Diaspora community, as President of NIDO Germany, Continental Chairman of NIDO Europe, and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide. During my tenure, during my worldwide coordinating chairmanship, I successfully championed the final passage of the NIDCOM Bill at the National Assembly, with the invaluable support of Barr. Rita Orji and Senator Rose Okoh of blessed memory, as well as the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives. I also initiated but did not fulfill the 2.4 billion dollar Diaspora Housing Project due to political interference and subsequent Diaspora housing initiatives aimed at providing sustainable homeownership opportunities for Nigerians abroad. In addition, I have served as Special Envoy and Adviser on Diaspora Voting Initiatives, advocating for the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the electoral process.

Beyond public service, I am the founder and publisher of African Heritage Magazine and the creator of the Heritage TV format in Hamburg, Germany. Through these media platforms and various Diaspora advocacy initiatives, I have helped connect Nigerians abroad with leadership at home hosting Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua (of blessed memory), Jonathan, and Buhari in engagements with the Nigerian Diaspora community and their international business partners. At the community level, I have initiated and supported Diaspora outreach and development projects in Anioma, including skills training programs, housing projects, and youth empowerment initiatives. On the international front, I continue to engage European institutions to promote Nigeria’s image and investment potential, while also coordinating EU Erasmus programs focused on digital literacy and intercultural competence for youth and adults across Europe. 

Pen Master: Now, there is this rising Nigerian passport, travel cost and host-country shift which makes travel harder for Nigerians...

Gbandi (interrupts). ..yes, absolutely! Higher travel costs, stricter visa regimes, and shifting foreign policies that unfairly stereotype Nigerians have continued to strain family connections, business opportunities, and Diaspora contributions. As I have often said, the Nigerian Diaspora community is among the most educated and resourceful in the world, with members holding influential positions in government, academia, and business across various countries. Unfortunately, successive Nigerian governments have not given them the recognition and engagement they deserve. Instead, Diaspora Nigerians are often viewed merely as cash cows, a mindset that has allowed other nations to benefit more from our people’s skills and capital than Nigeria itself. Charity must begin at home, yet that has rarely been the case with the notable exception of the Obasanjo administration, which demonstrated genuine openness to Diaspora participation in national development. Moving forward, we must press for reciprocity in our relations with host countries. This includes demanding better consular services, clearer and fairer visa arrangements for legitimate travellers, and stronger bilateral engagements that reduce unnecessary barriers while still respecting the genuine security concerns of host nations.

Pen Master: Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi, thank you for speaking with me

Gbandi: Thank you for this thoughtful engagement. You have consistently provided a platform for Anioma indigenes and indeed Nigerians to express their views and ensure that no single story defines our collective experience. My door will always remain open to the media, citizens, and partners committed to advancing practical solutions, job creation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and accountable governance. Together, with shared purpose and determination, I believe we can translate our collective vision into lasting progress for Anioma, and for Nigeria as a whole.