The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide has urged the Tenth National Assembly to enact a Diaspora Voting Bill to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in future elections and contribute to the country’s democratic development.
The organisation also appealed to President Tinubu to support inclusive governance by assenting to the Bill once it is passed by the legislature.
The call was made in Abuja during a Walk for Diaspora Voting event organised by NiDO to press for greater inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the nation’s electoral process.
Speaking at the walk, Coordinating Chairman of NiDO-Worldwide, Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, argued that the Nigerian Constitution recognises the right of all citizens of voting age, including those in the diaspora, to register and vote.
“We are Nigerians living abroad. We bear names like Chibuzor, Ibrahim and Ade, eat Nigerian food and run Nigerian businesses wherever we are. So, why can’t we vote? We hold our green passport wherever we go and we are proud of our fatherland. One important thing from our past leaders in the country is that they support Diaspora Voting, so what is holding them back? This is because the National Assembly has yet to legislate it. This is why we are here—to tell them to do the right thing. Nigerians living abroad deserve to be part of the electoral process, especially at the prime of the ongoing Constitutional Review,” he said.
Former Coordinating Chairman of NiDO-Worldwide, Dr Victor Ubani, called on Nigeria’s President to set a historic precedent by signing the Bill when presented.
“We are calling on President Tinubu to listen to us. We appeal to the National Assembly to do the needful. It is not proper being treated as non-Nigerians. There is no way you will tell me that we are not Nigerians just because no one is listening to us. We are here to work closely with the National Assembly to build our nation to benefit our fatherland,” he said.
Global President of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANS-DIASPORA), Chris Juwon Fayomi, praised the government’s efforts in sustaining democracy but said more needed to be done to ensure full diaspora participation.
“We have come from across several continents of the world to place demand on government towards legislation of Diaspora Voting. This is because no Nigerian will make the most democratic impact in fostering inclusivity of a 17 million population than the one who legislates Diaspora Voting,” Fayomi said.
NiDO is the umbrella body representing the interests and aspirations of Nigerians residing abroad.
PIAK