20m Nigerians in Diaspora Should Vote in 2023, Says Dabiri

Following steps being taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission to introduce electronic voting to the nation’s electoral system, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDC), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said her commission was working towards ensuring that the over 20 million Nigerians living abroad are allowed to vote in future elections.

She gave the hint in AdoEkiti ovr the weekend at the celebration of the 2019 Ekiti Diaspora Homecoming Reception put together by Ekiti State Government in conjunction with some youth organisations.

Represented on the occasion by the Head, Media and Public Relations of the commission, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa argued that since Nigerians living abroad are contributing an estimated $25 billion to the Nigeria’s economy, it was only normal that they are allowed to vote in their various countries of abode.

“With Nigerians in Diaspora contributing so much to the

Nigerian Economy, estimated at over $25 billion in 2018, we believe they deserve to vote.

“We are already working with the National Assembly to hopefully make this a reality in Nigeria through amendment to the country’s Electoral Act.

“We therefore look forward to many more engagements with Nigerians in the Diaspora in the years ahead,” she said.