The Nigerian Diaspora Deserves the Right to Vote — Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chief Executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has made an impassioned call for the inclusion of diaspora voting, stressing that Nigeria can no longer afford to ignore the voices of its citizens living abroad. During her appearance on Newscentral’s TownHall Series in New York, she emphasised the critical need for constitutional amendments to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to exercise their right to vote.

The CEO, a long-time advocate for the Nigerian diaspora, pointed out the importance of diaspora voting, especially in a globalised world where citizens abroad contribute significantly to their home country’s development. She called on the National Assembly to prioritise this issue, stating, “We all will have to lobby parliamentarians collectively. We’ll have to lobby the National Assembly because if they don’t make it happen, there’s nothing we can do.”

This advocacy reflects the growing movement among Nigerians abroad, many of whom feel disenfranchised despite their contributions to the country’s economy through remittances, investments, and social development initiatives. The push for diaspora voting would enable millions of Nigerians living abroad to participate in shaping the political landscape back home.

NIDCOM’s Push for Legislative Change

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has been working tirelessly to make diaspora voting a reality. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that NIDCOM has already submitted a memorandum to the Committee on Constitutional Review, advocating for the necessary amendments to allow Nigerians abroad to participate in elections. “It’s important that we work on lobbying the National Assembly. It’s important that we put the facts forward as to why it is now time for the Parliament to vote. And we, the Diaspora Commission, have written a memo to the Committee on Constitutional Review on the reasons why the diaspora should be able to vote.”

This statement reflects the strategic approach NIDCOM is taking to ensure that the issue is not sidelined, bringing it to the forefront of national discourse.

Why Diaspora Voting is Crucial

Over 100 countries around the world, including several African nations, have already implemented diaspora voting. Dabiri emphasised that there is no reason for Nigeria to be left behind, noting that the right to vote is fundamental to democracy. “There’s no reason why we, as a nation, cannot give the diaspora the opportunity to vote, especially when other African countries have already implemented it,” she remarked. This underscores the urgency of aligning Nigeria with global democratic practices.

As NIDCOM continues its efforts to engage with lawmakers and other stakeholders, it is clear that the voice of the Nigerian diaspora is growing louder. With Dabiri’s leadership, the path to diaspora voting is being paved, and the onus now rests on the National Assembly to make this a reality.

The conversation surrounding diaspora voting is not just about inclusion; it is about recognising the invaluable contributions of Nigerians living abroad and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of the country.