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Since the return of the country to full democracy in 1999 and the coming
together of Nigerians in the Diaspora through various organisations
notably, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations (NIDO), agitation has been
on the increase for Nigerians living abroad to participate in the
electoral process in the country.
To many, this may be absurd as those who are still within are been
disenfranchised one way or the other let alone adding more burden of
those in the diaspora to it.
The population of Nigerians in the Diaspora estimated to be between 17
to 20 millions with financial remittances of about $26 billion dollars
annually to the Nigerian economy as well as contribution to
agriculture, education or real estate, believes so much that they should
be given opportunity to participate freely in the electoral process in
the country. The Nigerians in diaspora who live in various continents
such as Africa, Europe, Asia and Americas have gradually become direct
or indirect participants in political events in their home countries
which bring us to the question; who is a Nigerian Diaspora? There are
lot of definitions depending on who is defining it pending the Federal
Executive Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria approval of the
draft Diaspora Policy before it, one can losely describe a Nigerian
Diaspora as someone who has lived abroad for a minimum of one year, has
verifiable address with an identity, legally resident and has a
Nigerian passport and contributes to the socio- economic development of
Country of Origin.
Flowing from the foregoing definition, it is assumed that the Nigerians
in the Diaspora being referred to here must not only reside abroad, but
must maintain links back home and must be legally resident abroad for at
least one year. This is the crux of the matter.
It must however be pointed out that countries such as Namibia, Kenya,
Burkina Faso, Togo and South Africa are into diaspora voting, while
Ghana and Morocco are in the process of actualizing its diaspora
voting. So, what is delaying its implemetation in Nigeria with the
highest remittances and population in Africa?
The proponents of diaspora voting believes that participating in at
least the Presidential election to test run it at various Nigerian
embassies abroad with their green passport as voters card is a good
starting piint.
However, opponents to Diaspora voting say how well do they know their
people at home,? How often do they come back home to visit or know the
real situation of things? How do we determine the number of voters? How
are we sure the government of the day who appointed the envoys in
various countries won’t use them to favour their bosses back at home?
How do we regulate the timing zones in various continents ? Has Nigerian
electoral laws allow for voting outside the shores of the country? These
are some of the issues begging for answers.
Responding to one of the posers recently at a townhall meeting with
Nigerians living in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in February 2020, President
Muhammadu Buhari expressed his support for diaspora voting in Nigerian
elections. He said ”I have said it severally that I am not against it.
However, you will need to convince National Assembly to amend the
relevant laws to make Diaspora voting a reality,.”
Spurred by this challenge, a new body, named Nigerian Diaspora Voting
Council (NDVC) led by Prince Ade Omole convened a one day international
stakeholders conference in Abuja with all participants in attendance.
Omole said the conference was timely ahead of 2023 elections so that the
National Assembly constitution review committee will take their
resolutions as their contributions towards amending the relevant
sections to accommodate electoral voting.
He said with both material and human resources contributions of the
Diaspora to the national development, they should be allowed to
participate in the electoral process from their places of abode.
The Chairman of the Council, however, called for a provision in
Nigeria’s electoral laws that would enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to
vote in home elections.
Omole who said that Diaspora voting was already being practiced in other
democratic countries, added that Nigeria as the most populous black
nation should not be exempted.
“It is instructive to state that Nigerians in the Diaspora make the
fifth largest remittances worldwide after India, China, the Philippines
and Mexico. “Interestingly, there are 115 countries world over that
allow voting by their Diaspora citizens, out of which 28 of such
countries are found in Africa,” he said.
He said said that it was discouraging and expensive for many Nigerians
abroad to be travelling back home to participate in the conduct of their
country’s elections.
He said it was important for Nigeria, as the future of Africa to
entrench Diaspora voting in her electoral process, adding that the
council would be working with NIDCOM, INEC and the National Assembly to
articulate the modalities for Diaspora voting.
The chairman said that it should also be considered whether the
country’s Diaspora voting should be by post, proxy, electronic or by
personal voting at the country’s diplomatic missions.
“The process to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote is an uphill
task that is far beyond party affiliation. It is a serious matter that
must go beyond what it is currently. “All relevant and critical
stakeholders must demonstrate readiness, and articulate a reasonable
roadmap that will eventually lead to electoral franchise of Nigerians in
the Diaspora.” , he added.
In her remarks, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), an advocate of diaspora voting since her
parliamentary years 2003 to 2015,, said it is not about the desirability
but the absence of the legal frame work.
Dabiri-Erewa urged all stakeholders to lobby the National Assembly to
do the needful and make it happen during the current political
dispensation. She also harped on Diaspora Mapping which will help to
identify the demographics of the Nigerians in the diaspora.
Sen. Babafemi Ojodu, who represented Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Vice President
of Nigeria at the event said Diaspora Voting will spur citizens both at
home and in the Diaspora towards national development.
Speaking in the same vein, the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, said he is committed to achieving democratic
imperatives which Diaspora Voting is cardinal.
He, however, added that it’s not just about doing it (voting) but it’s
about doing it right with all stakeholders working towards its
realisation.
Other speakers at the event were Femi Odere who represented the
Chairman Nigerian Governors forum, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Hon Tolulope
Akande- Sadipe, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora
Affairs, all stressed the fact that the time is right for diaspora
voting but a legal frame work needs to be put in place to achieve.
The Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan represented by Sen. Ajibola Bashiru
said that the country is not ready and ripe for diaspora voting.
He advanced various reasons such as non availability or lack of
inaccurate data of Nigerians in the diaspora, who constitute the
diaspora, Which method of voting will they use, Which election will they
be allowed to participate in, Is Nigeria ready for diaspora voting, Is
it only people who migrated legally that will be given the right to
vote?
“All these and more are factors to look at before we can think of
actualizing diaspora voting,” he stressed.
INEC National Commissioner, Dr Muhammad Lecky, said the commission is
ready and has proposed necessary amendments to the electoral laws before
the National Assembly Committee on Constitution Review.
Lecky who stood in for INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, urged
the National Assembly to speed up action by 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.
He added that “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 contributions 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 “.
He added that: “Allowing Nigerians living abroad to vote will allow
Nigerians in Diaspora to register and vote in their country of
residence”. He however pointed out that: “for this to happen, some
sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act have to be amended to
provide for the legal framework to allow for registration and voting by
citizens living in the Diaspora”.
It is generally believes that wherever the pendulum swings, diaspora
voting will change the narratives of the electoral fortunes in the
country. It can be actualized if the necessary things such as
introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) , credible voters
register, sincerity and patriotism of all stakeholders amongst others
are put in place.
