The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has assured Nigerians in Diaspora that the long-awaited Diaspora voting will be implemented during the tenure of the 10th Assembly.
The announcement was made at the 2024 National Diaspora Day opening event in Abuja, which was hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Abbas, represented by his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu, revealed that the bill on Diaspora Voting was reintroduced at a plenary session a week ago and has successfully passed the first reading.
Kalu, expressed his solidarity with Nigerians abroad, highlighting their significant contributions to Nigeria’s development through financial remittances and professional expertise. “Diaspora voting is in good hands,” he assured, adding, “as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, you can consider it as done.”
Kalu underlined the significance of voting in the diaspora to guarantee that Nigerians living abroad have a voice in the political climate of their own country. Whether they choose to stay overseas or come home, he urged Nigerians living abroad to continue being patriotic and involved in the country’s progress.
Earlier in the event, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, called on the Parliament to expedite the passage of the Diaspora voting bill. She highlighted that over 20 million Nigerians living overseas would benefit from the bill, recognizing their substantial impact through remittances and investments in Nigeria.
According to her, “The much-expected Diaspora voting bill aims to grant over 20 million Nigerians living overseas the right to vote, acknowledging their vital contributions to national development,”.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NIDCOM’s dedication to supporting Nigerians abroad and ensuring their contributions to national development are acknowledged and facilitated through legislative measures like the Diaspora voting bill.
