Tashikalmah Hallah and Nasidi A. Yahaya
2 July 2009
Abuja — Nigerians living abroad should be able to vote, tThe House of Representatives committee on Diaspora has said. The chairperson of the committee Rep Abike Dabiri-Erewa (AC, Lagos State) said this while attending the annual general meeting of Nigerians in Diaspora organization (NIDO) at Nigeria House in Washington, DC U.S.A.
She said the constitution has to be amended for Nigerians abroad to be eligible to vote pointing out that until that is done nothing much could be done.
She called on Nigerians living outside the country to be united and speak in one voice and fight for the voting rights during the constitutional amendment.
She said, "I think it is the major issue to be tabled when the constitution will be amended. It is a possibility, I believe it, Nigerians abroad should be able to vote".
According to her, "Nigerians in abroad are veritable group, we are talking about the largest group in African in terms of remittance according to World
Bank reports. We are talking about billions sent home annually. I think this group is very important, and they should have the right to vote. It is not going to happen tomorrow but let us begin the process."
The Nigerian in Diaspora organization (NIDO) amended its bylaws and elected new officers during the annual general meeting titled "NIDO: A vehicle for development in Nigeria."
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