NASS is set to introduce a diaspora voting bill for the 2027 general elections.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele while speaking during a virtual diaspora dialogue, pointed out the resolve of the National Assembly to reconsider the diaspora voting rights and other related issues affecting Nigeria in the diaspora.
Before then, the Senate had in a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State resolved to among other things, amend the Electoral Act to allow for diaspora voting to enable citizens on essential service and others abroad to vote at least in presidential elections. Senator Bamidele, said: “Let me tell you some good news.
ALSO: FG Declares Andrew Wynne Wanted Over Plot To ‘Overthrow’ President Tinubu
Not that we are trying to bring the bill (Diaspora Voting Right Bill) back. The bill is already on the floor of the 10th Senate. Exactly two weeks ago, we had the first reading of the bill. It has already been scheduled for a second reading. “Definitely, as the Leader of the Senate, I can assure you that we will consider the second reading of the bill this week.
After this stage, it will be referred to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. “As it is presently, the Constitution Review Committee is chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate. As the Leader of the Senate, I am the vice chairman. You can rest assured that I am with you in this effort. I see this fight as a generational fight.
It is about your children. It is also about ensuring greater inclusion in our electoral process. “We cannot be interested in what is coming from you (Diaspora Nigerians), but deny your right to vote. Diaspora voting is a right that must be recognized in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After the passage of the bill, it will be taken to the House of Representatives for concurrence.”
Senator Bamidele explained that after the concurrence by the House of Representatives, the bill would be transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly and two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must approve to become effective. He, therefore, urged the stakeholders to engage governors of the 36 states of the federation and speakers of the state Houses of Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill into law.
The House of Representatives, on its part, has passed for a second reading a diaspora voting right bill. The bill is sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajueen Abass, and the lawmaker representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Sadiq Abdullahi. The speaker, who underscored the urgency of the bill and the need to implement it by the next election cycle in 2027 is of the view that “It’s time for this vision to become a mission.
We need to ensure that Nigerians abroad are not only contributing economically but also have their rights protected, including the right to vote.” Abdullahi, while leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, argued that section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants citizens the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and opinion.
He noted that regardless of the locations of Nigerians, it is their fundamental right to exercise civic responsibility in choosing leaders for the various arms of government in their country. He further argued that Nigerians in the diaspora contribute financially to the country through remittances, and as such, should be part of the electioneering process, whether or not they live on the shores of Nigeria.
His words “It is widely believed that diaspora remittances have contributed remarkably to the development of Nigeria. Nigerians in the diaspora make considerable contributions to the Nigerian economy through huge financial inflow. Sadly, existing laws in Nigeria have not provided voting rights to Nigerians in the diaspora.
“Consequently, the agitation for voting rights for Nigerians in diaspora has continued to gain momentum. It is a practice that allows for holistic inclusiveness in a democratic society. Section 1 of the bill guarantees the voting rights of Nigerian citizens living outside Nigeria.
The section provides that elections to be conducted under this Act if passed, shall include elections in which the Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) is empowered by law. “Section 4 provides that this Act if passed, shall not invalidate existing laws in Nigeria. It only provides a platform for Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in elections conducted in Nigeria.”
The speaker (Abbas), had at the National Diaspora Day event in July, said: “I was the one who pushed for diaspora voting right 20 years ago, when then President Olusegun Obasanjo tasked us with enhancing our democracy by incorporating Nigerians abroad into our political framework,”
No doubt, it has been a long wait for Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections back home despite their commitment to the growth of the economy, but it is left to be seen how the 10th National Assembly intends to scale the hurdles that impeded passage of the Diaspora Voting Right Bill by previous assemblies.
