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.
