Diaspora Voting: UK Groups Oppose Suspension Of Bill

Nigerians based in the United Kingdom have criticised the suspension of the Bill on Diaspora voting by the National Assembly describing it as a  “collective disenfranchisement of innocent citizens’’.

Agency reports monitored by The Tide indicate that the Bill which seeks to allow Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote in future elections, suffered a setback in the House of Representatives as it was suspended for further input.

Most of the lawmakers who spoke on the bill, sponsored by Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (ACN Lagos), opposed it, pointing out that the country could not afford the cost of conducting such an election.

“Clearly, this is collective disenfranchisement of a group of innocent citizens by our government on the basis of their abode,’’ Ms Jenny Okafor, President of Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum, said in an interview in London.

“It amounts to discrimination and breach of our fundamental human rights.

“Nigerians at home who are of the same age and sound mind as many Nigerians abroad have the automatic right to vote and be voted for, unless the lawmakers construe living abroad as being aliens without usual rights, they must recognise that the killing of this bill is totally prejudicial to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.’’

She explained that the reasons cited for the suspension of the bill such as costs, geographical spread of Nigerians abroad and the timing were not made “in good faith”.

“It is simply not sufficient to pluck reasons from the air; there must be credible, well articulated evidences to back up these claims by the lawmakers.

She explained that apart from igniting Diaspora confidence, such right to vote would encourage friends of Nigeria, the international community and boost investment in the country.

Okafor commended the efforts of the proponents of the bill, including Dabiri, for their commitment towards the well- being of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Also, the Association of Nigeria-British Counsellors, while expressing disappointment, said the country must be ready for progressive steps to strengthen democracy for an all inclusive voting.

Mr Adedamola Aminu, Chairman of the group, said it was unfortunate that in spite of the yearly remittances made by Nigerians in the Diaspora to the country, they were being disenfranchised.

“We (Nigerians) in the Diaspora are remitting billions of dollars yearly to the country and willing to share our skills and expertise for the development of the country, yet we are being excluded from the scheme of things.’’

He explained that most developed countries where Nigerians were residing already, had infrastructure in place that could facilitate such exercise.

Aminu appealed to members of NASS to re-consider the bill and address the challenges in the voting process rather than suspending the bill indefinitely.

Also, Mr Alistair Soyode, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe, expressed regret that some of the lawmakers who promised to make Diaspora voting a priority during their campaigns were now reneging in their promises.

“Many of them now in office did promise that Nigerians in Diaspora will vote in 2015; this is a statement millions of us in Diaspora want to hold dearly.