Abuja: The quest by Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (NiDO)-Worldwide for inclusion of an estimated 20 million Nigerians living in the diaspora to participate in electoral processes has continued to gain considerable momentum. NiDO’s pursuit, observers say, will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to exercise their franchise during national elections.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NiDO-Worldwide is concerned that successive governments expressed support for diaspora voting but neglected to push legislation or constitutional amendments to achieve set targets. It regrets the failure by past administrations to bring the Diaspora Voting Bill into law, even after it went through Second Reading.
Worthy of note, in 2024, a bill seeking to amend the Constitution to provide for diaspora voting passed second reading in the House of Representatives and was referred to the Constitution Amendment Committee for further legislative action. Proponents of Diaspora Voting argue that Diasporan contributions through remittances make up a significant portion of the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue.
Some Nigerians in Diaspora who spoke on the subject matter said that several African countries had embraced diaspora enfranchisement, while Nigeria and some others have been hesitant. Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, Director-General of the Edo Diaspora Agency, emphasized the need for sustained advocacy towards legislating and passing the Diaspora Voting Bill into law, to enable Nigerians to elect competent leaders in future elections.
Policy analysts highlight that countries like South Africa and Ghana have permitted diaspora voting in presidential elections at embassies, while Kenya and Senegal have varying levels of implementation. Other countries such as Mali, Tunisia, France, Italy, India, Mexico, and the U.S. have also established policies for diaspora voting, showcasing global precedents.
The former Chairperson of NiDO Europe, Dr Collins Nweke, stressed the need for government to exercise its political will in advancing the cause for the realisation of diaspora voting. Nweke stated that Nigeria’s failure to enfranchise its diaspora community contradicts its aspirations for inclusive governance and development.
In the same vein, the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANS-Diaspora) urged the government to expedite amendments to the Constitution to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections. President of NANS-Diaspora, Chris Fayomi, underscored the need for diaspora voting, beginning with the 2027 elections.
Mr Obed Monago, a former Chair of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation – Americas (NIDOA), described as unfortunate the fact that past governments did not pass diaspora voting into law, despite several appeals by NiDO-Worldwide. He emphasized the need for a more organized approach in collaboration with the Tenth National Assembly.
Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), called on compatriots abroad to form a united front aimed at promoting diaspora voting in Nigeria. She emphasized the importance of having everything in place before diaspora voting begins.
A foreign affairs analyst urged the government to recognize the diaspora’s economic power and actively promote their political inclusion, highlighting the need for the establishment of polling stations at various Nigerian consulates abroad and voter education campaigns to achieve progress.
Stakeholders hold that disenfranchising Nigerians in the Diaspora does not only undermine the principles of democracy; it also diminishes the potential for diaspora engagement in shaping the policies and decisions that impact their lives and millions of Nigerians back home.