Daud Olatunji
Nigerian professionals based in the United States have called for the implementation of diaspora voting, highlighting the significant contribution of over $20 billion annually by Nigerians abroad to the country’s economy.
This plea was made during a recent episode of the socio-political programme, Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television.
The discussion featured four prominent Nigerians: Simon Ibe, Publisher of Global Patriot Newspaper; Kunle Deru, a New York Attorney and former President of the Nigeria Lawyers Association; Williams Ekanem, a Professor of Communications and Media; and Gbenga Omotayo, CEO of US-Africa Business Week.
They collectively argued that the voices of the diaspora should be heard in the nation’s political landscape, particularly in electing its President.
According to the World Bank, remittances from Nigerians living abroad reached a staggering $20 billion in 2023.
Ibe emphasized the urgent need for diaspora voting, stating, “This is a recurring issue, and I believe the time for it to be actualized is now.
Many countries less endowed than Nigeria are already implementing voting rights for their diasporans.
Given the substantial remittances we send back home, it’s only fair that we have a say in who leads our country.”
Currently, the Diaspora Voting Rights Bill is under consideration in the House of Representatives.
This bill, which passed its second reading on July 9, 2024, aims to amend the Electoral Act of 2022, allowing Nigerians abroad to participate in future elections.
Ibe urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the bill, asserting, “Let the bill be passed, and let the process for actualization start. It should be done.”
Deru expressed cautious optimism about the initiative, suggesting that while it may not be feasible for the upcoming electoral cycle, it is essential to set long-term goals for diaspora voting.
“Where there is a will, there is a way. We should start working toward it, even if it becomes a 10-year plan,” he said.
Ekanem echoed the sentiment that diaspora voting is overdue but stressed the importance of ensuring that votes count for the process to be effective. “Voting or elections are a game of numbers.
The critical question is whether my vote will count,” he remarked, cautioning that public skepticism about the efficacy of their votes could discourage participation.
He also suggested a phased implementation, starting with pilot projects in one or two countries before expanding the initiative.
Omotayo highlighted the economic impact of diaspora remittances, noting, “The remittance is significantly higher than our foreign direct investment. If a group can send money home that surpasses all external funding into the country, they should be included in the decision-making process.”
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