The effort of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) to ensure that Nigerians in diaspora are allowed to participate in the nation’s electoral process is a welcome development. Allowing Nigerians in diaspora to vote in the nation’s elections will deepen our democracy. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbass, indicated this in ceremony by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in Abuja. The Speaker, who was represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, stated that a bill on diaspora voting had passed through the first reading in the House. He lauded the importance of the diaspora in Nigeria’s development, especially their huge financial remittances to the country.
Earlier, the Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had pleaded with the National Assembly to pass the diaspora voting bill as a way of encouraging Nigerians living abroad to have a say in the political activities in the country. She said the much expected diaspora voting bill aims to grant Nigerians living overseas the right to vote, recognising their substantial impact on the economy and investments in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmood, had urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the diaspora voting bill by quickly amending sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2010 as amended) to make way for Nigerians living outside the country to participate in the electoral process and vote.
“INEC believes that Nigerians living outside the country should have the right to vote for a variety of reasons: they are citizens of Nigeria interested in the affairs of their own country; they make considerable contribution to the economy through huge financial inflow to the country; there is a sizable amount of Nigerian citizens living outside the country; and diaspora voting is consistent with global best practices,” Mahmood stated.
Yakubu, who made the call when members of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations visited INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, noted that allowing Nigerians living abroad to vote will make them register and vote in their country of residence.
The INEC Chairman had assured Nigerians that the Commission had long begun the process of developing guidelines, regulations and policy in anticipation of an amendment to the legal framework to enable people living in the diaspora to vote.
We commend the moves by INEC and Diaspora Commission and NASS to ensure that Nigerians in diaspora participate in our elections. No doubt, the time has come for them to vote. Other countries allow their citizens abroad to participate in their elections. Ours will not be different. It is in line with the thinking of many Nigerians. It is in line with contemporary trend and standard practice. Nigeria is ripe for the exercise. Nigerians abroad should have input in the politics and political developments in the country through their votes. After 25 years of unbroken democratic practice, it is time to give the citizens abroad the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Doing so will add colour and value to the country’s electoral process, given that most of the diaspora voters are enlightened enough.
Nigerians abroad contribute substantially to the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), through their remittances that have constituted huge revenues to the economy. Diaspora Nigerians had contributed about $23billion to the economy through remittances to relatives at home last year, and $21 billion in 2022.
Nigerians in diaspora are ranked among the biggest African population abroad, with their presence felt in countries of North America, Europe and Asia. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says that currently there are about 17 million Nigerians in diaspora. These Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their franchise during our elections. They should no longer be disenfranchised.
Nigeria has witnessed consistent decline in voter turnout. In the 2007 general election, only 57.54 per cent voted. In 2023, out of 93.47 million registered voters, only 24.9 million or 27 per cent voted. This was the lowest in our electoral history. In 1999, only 34.74 per cent voted.
In the recent Edo governorship election, barely 22 per cent of the registered voters turned up for the election. The trend replicates in elections in other states. Participation of the diaspora in the elections will improve the dwindling voter profile and enrich the democratic process.
With improvement in technology and anticipated improvement of the electoral system, diaspora voting is worth giving a trial. Legal encumbrances hindering the process should be dismantled. Let NASS amend the necessary section of the constitution to pave way for diaspora voting.