The Diaspora Foreign Investors Network has strongly criticized Mr. Segun Sowunmi, a pdp/” title=”Gov Mbah rules out exit from …”>prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following his recent interview on Arise News where he commented on the contentious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road initiative.
In an official release authored by Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, spokesperson for Nigerians in Diaspora, the organization denounced Sowunmi’s assertions as “inaccurate, deceptive, and irresponsible,” accusing him of echoing the ruling party’s talking points while disregarding the hardships faced by affected local residents and investors.
“It is both surprising and disheartening that someone claiming to represent the PDP would appear on national television to propagate falsehoods on a subject he evidently lacks a proper grasp of,” the statement emphasized.
The network expressed particular concern over Sowunmi’s dismissal of the grievances voiced by foreign investors and Nigerian citizens whose properties and enterprises have been disrupted by the ongoing roadworks. They labeled his attitude as “a blatant neglect of fairness” and accused him of prioritizing “political expediency” and “short-term gains.”
During the October 6 broadcast on Arise TV, Sowunmi defended certain elements of the Federal Government’s handling of the project-a stance the Diaspora group found especially troubling given his opposition party affiliation.
“In any accountable democracy, it is unprecedented for an opposition member to publicly endorse and promote the ruling party’s policies against the interests of his own constituents seeking justice,” Joseph remarked.
The organization commended Arise TV hosts Dr. Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni, and Ayo Mairo-Ese for rigorously challenging Sowunmi’s claims during the discussion, describing their intervention as “noteworthy.”
Further criticism was directed at Sowunmi for proposing that a woman already engaged in legal proceedings against the government should face additional charges-a suggestion the statement condemned as “legally uninformed” and “vindictive.”
Representing Nigerian investors abroad alongside foreign stakeholders with financial interests in Nigeria, the Diaspora Foreign Investors Network vowed to resist any political misinformation that undermines the dedication and patriotism of Nigerians living overseas who have invested in the country’s progress.
“The Nigerians in Diaspora and international investors you recklessly disparage have committed their resources out of loyalty and hope. They merit honesty, fairness, and dignity-not political spin,” the statement concluded.
Finally, the group urged Sowunmi to either officially align himself with the ruling APC if he intends to advocate for its policies or to abstain from commenting on diaspora investment issues, which he clearly lacks the expertise to address.
