Politics
Electoral Process: Nwoko Canvasses Participation Of 20m Nigerians In Diaspora
Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North), has canvassed the participation of the more than 20 million Nigerians in Diaspora in the country’s electoral process.
Nwoko told The Tide’s source yesterday in Abuja that such participation would enable them to vote and be voted for.
He also canvassed for four permanent seats, one each for America, Asia, Africa and Europe, to be allocated to them in both chambers of the National Assembly.
Nwoko said that the inclusion of the Nigerians in diaspora in the electoral process of the country had become imperative in view of their numbers, as well as their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
He said that statistical data showed that there were about 20 million Nigerian citizens resident in the diaspora.
He added that NAIRAMETRICS.com in its report on May 19, said that in 2018, Nigeria recorded $24 billion in diaspora remittances to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, $24 billion in 2019, $19.3 billion in 2021 and $19.8 billion in 2022.
“Thus, the importance of these contributions by Nigerians in the diaspora cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Nwoko disclosed that he had already sponsored a “Bill for an Act to Alter the 1999 Constitution (As Altered) to Provide for Diaspora Voting and for Related Matters” on the floor of the Senate.
He added that the bill, which had passed its first reading in the Senate sought to address the painful disenfranchisement of Nigerians in Diaspora from partaking in the electoral process.
Nwoko also explained that the bill sought to alter sections 48, 49, 71, 72, 77 and 117 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered).
It is provided for diaspora voting, with an increased number of senatorial districts from the hitherto 109 to 113, with four each designated to the Americas; South America, North America and Canada); Europe; Asia and Australia; and Africa.
Nwoko said, “The bill also seeks to increase the number of constituencies in the House of Representatives from 360 to 376, with 16 new constituencies of four each being designated to one diaspora Senatorial District for Nigerians in Diaspora.
“The bill further spells out voting qualifications and eligibility for Nigerian citizens in the diaspora.”
According to the lawmaker, statistical data shows that Nigeria’s population is about 200 million, while the population of Nigerian citizens resident in diaspora is about 20 million, which is 10 per cent of the country’s population.
Nwoko said, “In a proportional representation, 10 per cent of the present 109 Senatorial Districts in Nigeria is about 11 but this bill reduced diaspora senatorial districts to four each for the Americas (South America, North America and Canada); Europe; Asia and Australia; and Africa.
“Whereas 10 per cent of 360 constituencies, in the House of Representatives is 36 but this bill reduced it to 16 constituencies for Nigerians in diaspora, with four each for a Senatorial District in the diaspora.”
He added that the issues being canvassed by people opposed to diaspora voting in Nigeria include that diaspora lacked the requisite information to understand the political trends in the country and it cost so much money to conduct.
“This has been addressed by the present digital age, where the entire world is connected by the internet, social networking and electronic media.
“On the issue of cost, eligible voters are required to register and vote at their respective embassies or high commission.
“Staff of the embassies is expected to conduct the registration and voting, under the guidance and supervision of INEC,” he explained
Nwoko added that diaspora voting was the new gale of electoral reform blowing across the world, and embraced by many progressive nations and Nigeria being the giant of Africa and the most populated black nation in the world was yet to embrace it.
“Nigerians in diaspora are seriously yearning to actively participate and be involved in the elections and governance of their country.
“To ensure that Nigerian citizens in the diaspora exercise their right to vote, the starting point should be to create an enabling environment that will not be manipulated to suit individuals and partisan Interests,” he added.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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