The right for voting by the Nigerians in Diaspora has been canvassed at the National Public Hearing on further alteration to the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, led other Diasporans to the event which was moderated by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege alongside other Senators.
The NIDCOM boss stressed that over 119 countries conduct Diaspora Voting.
“Nigeria cannot afford to be left out given the humongous contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora to the Nigerian economy”, she said
Diaspora Voting Bill
In his presentation before the committee, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Voting Council, Prince Ade Omole, explained that the Diaspora Voting Bill which has passed second reading in the National Assembly was seeking to amend Section 77 and 117 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to allow Nigerians in the Diaspora participate in electoral process.
Omole further said that the entire Nigerian Capital (stock) budget is $20 billion and the budget of Nigeria is between $30 and $32 billion, adding that Nigerians in the Diaspora remit about that amount of money to the economy.
Others who joined Dabiri-Erewa via zoom from all continents of the world to participate for the first time in a Public Hearing by the Nigerian Senate include: Chairperson of Nigerian Association of Western Australia, Dr Pemus Eweama and CANUK, United Kingdom, Mr. Ayo Akinfe amongst others.
Nneka Ukachukwu
