Ahead of the resumption of legislative duties, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has expressed its strong support for the Diaspora Voting Right Bill. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing when the National Assembly reconvenes in the third week of September.
This bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Sadiq Abdullahi, who represents Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, successfully passed its second reading in the Green Chamber on July 9, 2024.
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Electoral Act of 2022, allowing Nigerians living abroad the opportunity to participate in future elections.
The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, emphasized the importance of diaspora voting, noting that many countries, including some in Africa, already implement it. He remarked that Nigeria is now mature enough to embrace this practice.
Oke, who represents Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in Osun State, stated, “We will fully support the passage of this bill into law. These individuals are Nigerians, regardless of where they reside. Diaspora voting is not a novel concept, as it is practiced in other countries.”
He added, “With the current state of our development, Nigerians abroad should be able to vote from the comfort of their homes in future elections.”
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday, Mr. Abraham Jimawo, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in the United Kingdom, highlighted that the push for diaspora voting dates back to the ill-fated Third Republic. He urged the current parliament to ensure the bill’s passage.
Jimawo, who also chairs the Senator Monday Okpebholo Support Group in the UK and Ireland, stated, “We have been advocating for this cause for a very long time. As a former member of the Nigerian National Union, we were deeply involved in the fight for voting rights for Nigerians living in the diaspora.”
He continued, “As a group, we are fully behind this initiative. Nigerians should be able to vote from anywhere in the world. It’s worth noting that even some smaller African countries have already integrated this into their electoral systems. It is baffling that Nigeria, often seen as the giant of Africa, has yet to provide a means for those living abroad to participate in elections. However, it’s not too late to begin this process.”
Jimawo also called on both the legislative and executive branches to take the necessary steps to ensure the bill’s passage and assent.
