Politics

Still On Diaspora Voting And Rivers Rerun Polls

Published

10 years ago

November 14, 2016

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had a somewhat bitter, sweet engagement with the National Assembly recently.

The issues bordered on the much-debated diaspora voting and pending elections into vacant legislative seats. Clearly both issues touch on constitution.

While the law as constituted does not allow for electronic voting as such voting must be by personal representation, the constitution provides that every constituency must have a representative through an elective process organized by the electoral commission. However it would seem that the commission is almost handicapped on both issues.

The 2015 general election was perhaps the most competitive election in the Nigeria’s recent political history.

Invariably, that electoral process opened up the system to the exploration of more technology with the introduction of the Smart Card Reader and Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

As such, in the build up to that election, the clamour by Nigerians living abroad to get involved in the process back home became much more noticeable.

For them, besides technology conquering the geographical hindrance to voting for any citizen (as evident in even small countries in Africa), the appreciable economic contributions they make through transfers back home warrants they have a direct participation in electoral process in the country.

According to a report by World Bank’s Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016, remittances from Nigerians living abroad hit $20.77 billion in 2015, making Nigeria the sixth largest recipient of remittances in the world.

It further revealed that remittances to Nigeria rose every year over the last decade from $16.93 billion in 2006 to $20.83 billion in 2014. In 2015, however, remittances fell slightly to $20.77 billion.

According to the report, the top two sources for Nigerian diaspora remittances in 2015 were the United States ($5.7 billion) and the United Kingdom ($3.7 billion).

More so, the report showed that Nigeria tops the top ten remittance recipients in Africa by $20.77bn, followed by Ghana ($2.0bn), Senegal ($1.6bn), Kenya ($1.6bn), South Africa ($1.0bn), Uganda ($0.9bn), Mali ($0.9bn), Ethiopia ($0.6bn), Liberia ($0.5bn), and Sudan ($0.5bn).

But, attempts at addressing diaspora voting has never gone beyond the discussion stage. The issue was deliberated at the 2014 National Conference. Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, had at the confab, captured the frustrations of millions of Nigerians abroad about their inability to vote.

Expectedly, he blamed the situation on the provision of the relevant sections of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic, which discriminated against Nigerians living outside the country.

Despite the major leaps recorded by the immediate past leadership of INEC, diaspora voting wasn’t feasible for the 2015 election. With federal lawmakers fixated on returning to office, amending the constitution to accommodate Nigerians abroad was not a priority.

But, this INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, seems poised to address the issue, provided the National Assembly plays its part.

This much the chief electoral officer stated when he hosted members of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, led by its Chairperson, Dr. Rose Oko, when they visited the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He urged the National Assembly to expedite action by amending sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2010 as amended) to make way for Nigerians living outside the country to participate in the electoral process and vote.

He said: “INEC believes that Nigerians living outside the country should have the right to vote for a variety of reasons: they are citizens of Nigeria interested in the affairs of their own country; they make considerable contribution to the economy through huge financial inflow to the country; there is a sizable amount of Nigerian citizens living outside the country; and Diaspora voting is consistent with global best practices”.

Professor Yakubu noted that: “Allowing Nigerians living abroad to vote will allow Nigerians in Diaspora to register and vote in their countries of residence”.

He however pointed out that: “for this to happen, several sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act have to be amended to provide for the legal framework to allow for registration and voting by citizens living in the Diaspora”.

He disclosed that the Commission had identified areas of the Constitution and the Electoral Act which needed amendment and was willing to discuss it with the Committee. He assured that: “INEC is committed to providing Nigerians living outside the country the opportunity to have a say in who become our leaders at various levels”.

“I hope that arising from our interactions today, the legal and constitutional obstacles to voting by Nigerians in Diaspora will soon be removed so that Nigerians, irrespective of where they live around the world would have the opportunity to vote in future elections, but the first step towards actualizing that possibility rests entirely on the national assembly because you are the only people who have the powers to amend our constitution and laws,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, Senator Rose Oko, had told the leadership of INEC that members of the Committee were in the Commission in respect of the quest for Nigerians in Diaspora to be part of the electoral process and to exercise their franchise.

Senator Oko, advised the Commission to look into the possibility of including Nigerians in Disapora to vote, and assured that the Committee would do everything possible to facilitate the amendment of the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to accommodate people living outside the country in the electoral process.

“We in the Senate Committee do believe that we would lend our voice very strongly to the call that Nigerians in Diaspora should be given an opportunity to exercise their franchise to vote in the countries where they are domiciled for a number of reasons,” she said.

By and large, according to analysts, the bulk of the responsibility lies with legislature. Nevertheless, while the National Assembly and the commission enthuse over the prospects of Nigerians in diaspora voting, the need to tidy up what has become perennial logistics challenges back home, would be key.

Also, the challenge of inconclusive elections, resulting majorly from insecurity, might be too much of a distraction for the commission. Still, other analysts believe that these challenges are easily surmountable, if key stakeholders play their statutory role.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari seems indifferent to the 2014 confab report which gave life to the prospects of diaspora voting, he has often expressed willingness to make Nigerians living abroad have a direct say in how their leaders emerge.

In March, while speaking to the Nigerian community in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, he had said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission will be encouraged to explore the possibility of Nigerians abroad voting in the 2019 general elections. We will do all within our means to fulfill that desire.

“I want all Nigerians to know that I respect them and their right to choose their leaders. Some African countries have started allowing their citizens resident abroad to vote in national elections, so I fully empathise with the desire of Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in national elections,” the President stated.

His optimism in Malabo was slight variance from his rather cautious desire in August 2015, where he stated that it was not feasible to implement the idea presently as there were still many factors militating against its realisation.

Speaking at the 2015 Diaspora Day held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the theme “Diaspora and Nigeria Change Agenda”, he identified some of those factors, which he argued were logistical, to include legislation, huge finance, and confidence in the electoral system.

The Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki, had also expressed the upper chamber’s commitment as well.

Speaking at the one-day stakeholders meeting on electoral reforms organized by Senate Committee and Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), Saraki had said the wish of Nigerians living abroad to participate in the process should be accommodated.

However, while the next round of legislative elections are months away, and with the Sen Ken Nnamani Electoral Reform Committee set to commence work, it is expected that diaspora voting would get serious attention this time.

However, while the electoral commission tasked the National Assembly on ensuring that Nigerians living abroad can vote in future polls, the federal legislature was not so charitable over its criticism of INEC for delays in conducting pending elections into legislative seats.

Both chambers had come down hard on the commission over pending polls, especially in Rivers and Lagos.

While the House of Representatives urged INEC to conduct the elections, Senate threatened to suspend plenary sessions if the electoral umpire fails to conduct all pending re-run elections into legislative positions in Rivers State.

This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, (PDP) and Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, (APC).

In the House, the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, (PDP) had sponsored the motion and the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC) had supported the motion.

Besides the bi-partisan party support that greeted the motion, the National Assembly found inexplicable that those pending elections has not be held, months after court rulings.

They cited breach to the constitution on the part of INEC, which touched on disobeying court ruling on time frame for rerun election, causing under representation of a people, which they say poses danger to democracy.

But INEC has often stated that its inability to conduct the polls bother on insecurity in those areas. Before then, the commission had early this year, said it would not go back to states where it had pending legislative reruns until stakeholders in those areas commit to the safety of electoral personnel and materials.

The commission had lost an ad-hoc staff and serving National Youth Corps member due to violence in Rivers State. However after much agitation, the commission had held a had meeting with stakeholders from Kogi, Anambra, Rivers and Imo State where legislative elections were pending.

For Rivers State, series of peace meetings were held. Governor Nyesom Wike and his immediate predecessor and Minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had met with the heads of security agencies including the DSS and police as a way of deescalating the tension in the state. The two estranged political allies are the leaders of the two major parties in the state, PDP and APC.

However while the elections in Kogi and Imo held, that of Rivers did not hold due to resurgence of violence.

But during the debate on his motion on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Ekweremadu argued “that lNEC had successfully conducted elections in the North-East of Nigeria, especially in the areas around Sambisa Forest, in spite of the area having been acknowledged worldwide to be ravaged by terrorist activities.

“Also aware that INEC recently conducted successful elections in Edo State even after security advice from Police and DSS forced a rescheduling of the election date.

Ukaibe is a public affairs analyst.

Featured

2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

8 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.

News

FG Must Address Nigerians’ Concerns On Reforms -Shettima …Warns Against Misuse of AI, Social Media

Published

11 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the Federal Government to pay greater attention to Nigerians’ concerns about ongoing economic reforms, insisting that public confidence must be built through transparent communication, credible evidence of progress and responsiveness to citizens’ experiences.

Shettima made the call yesterday at The Duke’s Masterclass 2026, held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, where he was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr Tope Fasua.

The Vice President said the success of the administration’s economic policies would depend not only on their implementation but also on the government’s ability to demonstrate tangible results and address the challenges confronting citizens.

“Government must continue to communicate, however, its policies clearly, demonstrate progress with credible evidence, and listen attentively to the experiences of citizens,” he said.

Shettima defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, including petrol subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalisation, fiscal restructuring and revenue mobilisation, describing them as measures intended to correct longstanding economic distortions and strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.

He explained that the policies were designed to attract investment, improve business confidence, enhance the deployment of public resources and establish conditions for sustainable economic growth.

However, he maintained that announcing policies was insufficient without building public understanding and confidence in their implementation.

The Vice President particularly challenged Nigeria’s elite, professionals and middle class to acknowledge the difficulties facing ordinary citizens while explaining the objectives of the reforms.

“Your role is not to defend every government action uncritically, nor to dismiss the concerns of citizens. It is to help create a more informed and constructive national conversation,” he stated.

He urged professionals engaging traders to recognise the pressures confronting businesses and advised those interacting with young graduates to acknowledge employment challenges while encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

According to him, constructive criticism and informed public participation are essential to effective governance and the sustainability of economic policies.

“Constructive scrutiny strengthens governance. Informed public participation strengthens democracy,” Shettima said.

He further stressed that leadership required the flexibility to adjust policy implementation in response to evidence and changing economic circumstances without abandoning established objectives.

Turning to the challenges of artificial intelligence and social media, the Vice President warned that technological advances were increasing the speed and sophistication of misinformation, posing risks to public confidence and institutional reputations.

“A photograph can be manipulated, a voice can be cloned, and a video can be fabricated just with a simple prompt on social media to make an individual appear to have said or done something that never happened,” he warned.

Shettima urged public institutions to strengthen information verification, correct false claims transparently and communicate through trusted channels, adding that speed should never take precedence over accuracy.

He also called for improved digital literacy and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

On economic opportunities, Shettima identified banking, financial technology, oil and gas, agriculture, real estate, construction, commodity exports and the creative industry as sectors capable of supporting investment and employment.

He nevertheless acknowledged the need to address unreliable electricity, inefficient transportation, insecurity, limited access to finance and weaknesses in education and public institutions.

He called for stronger domestic production, export expansion and support for small businesses, while urging that economic opportunities be extended to women, young people and rural communities.

In his opening address, the Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Bimbo Ashiru, warned that poor leadership decisions and inadequate crisis preparedness could destroy institutional credibility.

“Reputation cannot be manufactured at the point of crisis. It is built over time through our decisions, our conduct, our values and the consistency between what we say and what we do,” he said.

Ashiru noted that geopolitical tensions, technological changes and economic disruptions were making leadership increasingly difficult, requiring organisations to strengthen accountability, transparency and crisis management.

He disclosed plans to extend the masterclass to London in March 2027.

Also speaking, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, recounted his involvement in international conflict resolution, particularly negotiations surrounding South Africa’s transition from apartheid and political tensions in Bangladesh.

He stressed that successful mediation required a thorough understanding of the issues dividing opposing parties, the interests of their leaders and the appropriate timing of public communication.

“Because if you communicate the progress prematurely, you might sabotage the whole process,” Anyaoku said.

The Chairman of AXA Mansard and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, criticised Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, arguing that public institutions and businesses should be judged by service delivery rather than explanations for poor performance.

“Rather than giving people megawatts of electricity, we are giving them excuses,” he said.

Adesina also condemned corruption, inflated public contracts and failures of accountability, warning that such practices weakened infrastructure, damaged public trust and endangered lives.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Duke of Shomolu Foundation, Joseph Edgar, explained that the masterclass was designed to equip organisations and individuals with practical strategies for anticipating crises, managing their consequences and protecting institutional reputations.

He said the initiative complemented the foundation’s use of theatre to promote social cohesion and strengthen public engagement.

Politics

My Administration’ll End Political Acrimony In Rivers – Chinda

Published

12 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State in the forthcoming 2027 election, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, has vowed to run an all inclusive administration that would ensure political harmony in the state, if elected into power.
Hon. Chinda, who is also the preferred governorship candidate of the Rainbow Coalition, said this shortly after he was unveiled along side other candidates of the political arrangement at a grand rally in Port Harcourt.
He said the coalition was committed to ending political divisions and promoting unity among the various political parties in the state.
Hon. Chinda also promised to make Rivers State experience peace, progress and development during his tenure as governor of the state.
“We are no longer divided on party lines.We are no longer playing the politics of the winner takes it all’’, he said.
Hon. Chinda, who spoke on behalf of the other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, said the coalition’s vision extends beyond electoral victory, adding that its proposed government would accommodate people, irrespective of political affiliations, gender and religious belief.
“We are going to run a government for the people, with the best interests of Rivers people first,” he said.
Hon. Chinda also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, for bringing political stakeholders together under the umbrella of the Rainbow Coalition, while lauding Governor Siminalayi Fubara for presenting flags to the candidates.
He expressed optimism that the alliance would promote peaceful elections, a smooth transition of power and development projects capable of improving the lives of Rivers residents.
While presenting flags to chosen candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, Governor Fubara called on members of the Coalition and his supporters to put past disagreements behind them and work together under a common leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He acknowledged Chief Wike’s role in his political journey and described the Minister of the FCT as the leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
Governor Fubara said the political groups had come together as one family and should no longer maintain separate camps.
He also pledged to support the coalition’s candidates and President Tinubu’s re-election bid, expressing optimism that cooperation among political stakeholders would strengthen the alliance.
Also speaking, Chief Wike urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties across the country to support President Tinubu’s re-election.
He called on politicians to set aside party differences and work together towards the coalition’s political objectives.
Chief Wike said the Rainbow Coalition represents a common political platform for stakeholders from different parties who had agreed to support the President and candidates seeking elective offices in Rivers State.
He also urged PDP members in Rivers, Kwara, Ogun and other states to support President Tinubu, while calling for support for the coalition’s candidates contesting the governorship, National Assembly and Rivers State House of Assembly elections.
The former Rivers State governor also addressed divisions within the PDP, rejecting attempts to portray him as merely a factional leader of the party.
He further criticised some opposition figures over their political ambitions and records in public office, particularly former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Meanwhile, former Senator Magnus Abe has also called on Mr Amaechi to withdraw from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential arrangement with Alhaji Abubakar and support President Tinubu.
Senator Abe argued that the presidency should remain in Southern Nigeria, insisting that political leaders should respect the principle of power rotation between the North and South.
He recalled the controversy surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, arguing that Mr Amaechi had previously opposed Dr Jonathan’s ambition on the grounds of power rotation.
“Today, the same man who led us to go against our son and our brother is now trying to lead us to go and support somebody from the North when it is the turn of the South.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” he said.
Senator Abe also reaffirmed the coalition’s support for President Tinubu, declaring: “We are not just with Tinubu, We are with Tinubu. We are for Tinubu. We are by Tinubu. We are in Tinubu. We are Tinubu here in this coalition”, Senator Abe declared.
The event featured the presentation of candidates for various elective positions under the Rainbow Coalition.