Four Nigerian professionals based in the United States are advocating for the right to vote from abroad, highlighting that Nigerians in the diaspora contribute over $20 billion annually to the economy. They argue that these contributions warrant a voice in selecting the nation’s leadership.
The professionals appeared on the Sunday edition of “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande,” a socio-political program on Channels Television. They include Simon Ibe, Publisher of Global Patriot Newspaper; Kunle Deru, an attorney and former President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association in New York; Williams Ekanem, Professor of Communications and Media at Suffolk County College; and Gbenga Omotayo, CEO of US-Africa Business Week.
According to the World Bank, remittances from Nigerians living abroad reached $20 billion in 2023. Ibe emphasized that the time has come for diaspora voting to be realized. “Many countries with fewer resources than Nigeria have implemented voting rights for their citizens abroad,” he stated. “Given the significant remittances, it is only fair that those contributing so much should have a say in who leads the country.”
The Diaspora Voting Rights Bill is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. Having passed its second reading on July 9, 2024, the bill aims to amend the Electoral Act of 2022 to enable Nigerians overseas to participate in future elections. “Let the bill be passed, and let the process begin,” Ibe urged.
