By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A group known as the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC) has kicked against the decision of the National Assembly not to allow Nigerians living abroad to have the right to vote for candidates seeking public office in the country.
At the recent constitutional amendment review, the lawmakers rejected the clause to allow for diaspora voting as 29 lawmakers at the Senate agreed as 62 against it, while at the House of Representatives, 58 voted Yes and 240 voted No, signifying that the country was not yet ripe for such.
This action did not go down well with NDVC, which described this as the disenfranchisement of Nigerians in the diaspora.
In a statement signed by its secretary, Mr Tolu Oluwatuyi, the group expressed regrets that the Diaspora Voting Bill was voted down by Nigeria’s upper and lower legislative houses on March 1, 2022.
“I am sorry to inform fellow Nigerians in the Diaspora that the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill was voted down by Nigeria’s upper and lower legislative houses on March 1st, 2022 at the Constitutional Amendment Review Session (third reading) that held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Nigeria.
“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Diaspora Voting; and for Related Matters
“This is a setback given the quantum of work and resources expended to date by the Council and several Diaspora groups. A setback often moves us to a road that is even worse but leads to an even better destination. According to Winston Churchill, Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm,” a part of the statement read.
However, the council reassured Diasporans that NDVC was more determined to succeed than give up the advocacy for Diaspora Voting (DV) in Nigeria.
“NDVC will not relent in its efforts at spreading the gospel of its advocacy until the goal is achieved. Going forward, NDVC will release a timeline of activities in due course.
“Given the renewed determination, the board of NDVC has decided to double-up on its efforts, bring onboard more recognised and influential Diaspora groups that will add value to the advocacy including State Diaspora Focal point officers, widen and intensify the scope of diplomacy, review the provisions of the existing Diaspora Voting Bill with the assistance of NIDCOM, INEC and NASS and re-strategise going forward,” it added.
Meanwhile, the group commended the Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe and her team for her patriotism, dedication and commitment to the DV advocacy.
“If there is anyone that deserves all the accolades, it is no other person than the National Assembly Sponsor of the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill, Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, House Committee Chairperson on Diaspora and Electoral Matters.
“Mrs Akande-Sadipe worked relentlessly with her ever untiring team led by Mrs Omoshalewa to ensure that the DV Bill saw the light of the day.
“NDVC cannot thank her enough for the many travels she embarked on during the zonal public hearings, risking her life, just in a bid to ensure that the Diaspora Voting Bill was a success,” the organisation said.
NDVC also appreciated various major stakeholders who have equally been in the constant advocacy for the materialisation of the DV Bill, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the chairmanship of Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for the technical know-how support and willingness to help thus far; the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) and other Diaspora groups and persons for their unflinching support and commitment.
