Constitution Review: NIDCOM Boss Dabiri-Erewa, Others Canvass For Diaspora Voting At National Public Hearing

The right to vote for Nigerians in Diaspora has been canvassed at the National Public Hearing on further alteration to the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa,  led other Diasporans to the event  which was moderated by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege alongside other Senators.

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that over 119 countries conduct Diaspora Voting, hence Nigeria cannot afford to be left out given the humongous contributions of  Nigerians in Diaspora to the Nigerian economy.

In his presentation before the committee, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Voting Council, Ade Omole, explained that the Diaspora Voting Bill which has passed second reading in the National Assembly was seeking to amend Section 77 and 117 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to allow Nigerians in the Diaspora participate in the country’s electoral process.

Omole added that the entire Nigerian Capital (stock) budget is $20 billion and the budget of Nigeria is between $30 and $32 billion, adding that Nigerians in the Diaspora remit about that amount of money to the economy.

Some other Nigerians in Diaspora who joined virtually to participate for the first time in a Public Hearing by the Nigerian Senate include: Chairperson of  Nigerian Association  of Western Australia, Pemus Eweama and CANUK, United Kingdom, Ayo Akinfe amongst others.