NIDO UKS’ crisis: Implications of gagging dissent voices

Recent happenings in the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) UK-South and by extension their umbrella body, the Nigerian in Diaspora Organization Europe, is an indication that no association group or individual can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere of undemocratic engagements and suppression of opposing voices.

Constructive criticisms, openness, accountability and transparency are the hallmark of democracy and a tolerant leadership, wherein these virtues are absent, the outcome is usually crisis as being witnessed in NIDO UKS.  

The crisis rocking the once respected organizations, NIDO was not unconnected with the position of its leadership to ignore the voice of reason and perspectives that were not directly in tandem with their own views. Dissension, constructive engagements and need for democracy within the organization has become an anathema. However some of the members of the organization were of the opinion that the right thing should be done no matter whose ox is gored. At this point everything became deadlocked and the centre could no longer hold.

It was reliably gathered that NIDO UKS having viewed the opposition voices within it as not dancing to their tune, decided to suspend the leading opposition voice, Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, a renowned health advocate and climate change mitigation specialist.

Announcing his suspension in a letter dated 5th August, 2024, NIDO stated that he, Omoragbon’s membership has been suspended effective immediately. “As such, your suspension will prevent you from attending any NIDO activities, events, or meetings until further notice. This decision was not taken lightly, as we value every member's contributions. However, it is vital for the stability and integrity of our organisation that we address these concerns decisively.”

With the unfolding scenario, Peters Omoragbon on his part, has gone to court to be granted injunction requesting for his suspension to be quashed and his membership reinstated back into NIDO UKS and NIDOE.

Omoragbon, a critical stakeholder in the organization, was suspended from the Diaspora organisation for raising his voice over an inconceivably anti-democratic move during their election whereby the executive of the organizations were inclined in favour of a particular candidate, which he, Omoragbon, prominently known for his accountability, transparency and democratic posture, was averse to, and he opposed their move to install their own candidate. He said that his going to court was for the organizations to reverse his suspension and render apologies over their breaching the groups' constitutions.

Our correspondent who is monitoring the crisis said that Omoragbon, in his application of Injunction to the County Court at Hertford through his Solicitors, Broad   Street Solicitors, London, UK, has disclosed that his suspension as member of the two bodies is null and void and therefore requested the court to rule in his favour by not only declaring the suspension unlawful but to also make it clear to the two organisations that they erred in law, hence the need to apologize to him.

He claimed that the defendants breached their constitutions entered by the respective parties on 11 February, 2023, by suspending him from the organization without any due cause or valid reason in line with the articles enshrined in the constitution. "I was suspended for making protected disclosure of wrongdoings or malpractice within the organization, which I thought to be protected under the statutory provisions relating to whistleblowing. Therefore my suspension is illegal by virtue of the constitution and employment Rights Acts 1996, and the defendants have failed to adhere to the principal of natural justice."

Omoragbon also requested the court to set aside the conclusions and resolutions of the AGM of NIDO UKS of 17th August, 2024, he also sought for a formal apology, under section 2 of the compensation Act, 2006, aside also requesting for an order asking for his reinstatement back into NIDO UKS, NIDOE.

Our source also disclosed that Pastor Omoragbon has made it clear that he is not seeking any monetary claim or relief against the defendants, adding that the claim is simply to make a declaration that the defendants have breached the constitution and to rescind the suspension, and formally apologize for their behavior.

He has already drawn the attention of the Chairman and members of the Central Executive Committee (NIDOE) and members of the Executive Committee, NIDO UKS to his court action. When cornered by our source, Omoragbon stated "You shall be properly served by the court bailiff but be put on notice that I have instituted a legal case against both organizations for my unlawful suspension and expulsion from the Organizations by the unconstitutional act of the NIDO UKS Executive,"Omoragbon stated.