Ben TV chairman Alistair Soyode joins Nigeria's 2019 presidential race adding more youth and diaspora flavour

NIGERIA'S presidential race just got a new diasporan dimension after the chairman of the largest black TV station in Europe Dr Alistair Soyode threw his hat into the ring as one of the candidates aspiring to occupy state house next year.

In February next year, Nigerians go to the polls and in May a new president will assume office but unlike previous elections, the current one has a big diaspora input. Already, Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has created a lot of excitement with the launch of a campaign centred  around the youth and the need for change.

Mr Sowore has already embarked on a nationwide tour and his town hall meetings have attracted huge crowds of youths demanding change to the status quo. During the hustings, Mr Sowore has challenged government ministers who resent the idea of diasporans, the youth and political outsiders coming into the political arena, which they see as their private domain.

In a development set to make the race more exciting, Dr Soyode announced his candidacy this morning and is set to formally launch his campaign in Abuja next week. Running a platform of the Yes Nigeria Movement, Dr Soyode is marketing himself as the candidate to bridge the gap between the status quo and the youth.

Dr Soyode said: "You have questioned the leadership in our country and have prayed for the better delivery of policies and politics, so we have arrived at the solution. I am young and energetic, with a proven track record locally, nationally and internationally.

"I am well experienced in managing resources and people, so am the bridge to a greater future. Join and support us by visiting out website www.asthebridge.org/"

Founded in 2003, Ben Television set a precedence by becoming Europe’s first black-interest TV channel, linking disaporans up with developments back in Africa. Dr Soyode, started the initiative just as Mr Sowore began Sahara Reporters and now his TV station has grown into a major broadcasting venture.

Apart from running Ben TV, Dr Soyode has served as chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe and currently chairs and leads a mentoring and coaching organisation committed to youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. In association with his brother, he also set up the first indigenous mechanised agricultural company which imports machinery into Nigeria for distribution to farmers.