The Nigerian Diaspora is calling for the right to vote, as highlighted during a recent Town Hall Meeting in New York.
Organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in partnership with News Central TV, the event took place on September 28, 2024.
The theme was “Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora: The Right to Vote.”
The meeting aimed to discuss the importance of political engagement among Nigerians living abroad.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Executive Chair and CEO of NIDCOM, delivered the keynote address.
She emphasized the need for the National Assembly to amend the constitution to allow diaspora voting.
“We cannot continue to pay lip service to diaspora voting,” Dabiri stated. “Nigerians abroad deserve to exercise their franchise.”
Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, also spoke at the event, addressing the diaspora community directly.
“You are direct beneficiaries of the right to vote,” she said. “Your financial contributions are significant, but the respect you command abroad is tied to Nigeria being a well-governed country.”
As of 2022, over 700,000 Nigerians were living in the USA alone.
Ezekwesili pointed out that this population has the potential to shape Nigeria’s electoral landscape significantly.
Dabiri praised the resilience and dedication of Nigerians in the diaspora, describing them as vital intellectual, social, and financial assets to Nigeria.
“Your hard work supports your families back home,” she said, “and your contributions are invaluable.”
Dabiri highlighted the long-standing call for diaspora voting rights, noting that previous Nigerian leaders have supported the idea.
“Former Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and now President Bola Tinubu have all advocated for extending voting rights to Nigerians abroad,” she explained.
However, the actual implementation of these rights remains unfulfilled.
The Town Hall Meeting focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding diaspora voting rights.
Experts and stakeholders discussed policy frameworks and how diasporans can advocate for change.
The aim was to shift the conversation from mere remittances to active political participation.
Dabiri emphasized that the time has come for Nigerians abroad to lobby parliamentarians.
“We all will have to lobby parliamentarians collectively,” she urged. “If they don’t make it happen, there’s nothing we can do.”
Dabiri and Ezekwesili encouraged the diaspora community to work together to present their case to the National Assembly.
“We must put the facts forward as to why it is now time for Parliament to vote,” Dabiri stated.
She revealed that NIDCOM has submitted a memo to the Committee on Constitutional Review advocating for diaspora voting.
Dabiri also pointed out that over 100 countries, including many African nations, have already implemented diaspora voting.
“It’s time for Nigeria to join them,” she declared.
The Town Hall meeting was part of the #NCTownhallSeries, which has successfully addressed various issues affecting Nigerians.
Previous editions have tackled topics ranging from social issues to governance challenges.
This particular session marked a strategic shift towards electoral rights and the political power of the diaspora.
The meeting took place at JaySuites in New York and was broadcast live on News Central TV.
This ensured that diasporans around the world could participate in the discussion.
