The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has assured of doing everything for the inclusion of Diaspora voting in the 1999 Constitution for future elections.
The helmsmen of the National Assembly, gave the assurance, during the official presentation of a Compendium titled ‘600 Diaspora icons at 60’ by Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa in separate meetings with the Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Ahmed Lawan maintained the Assembly’s ‘commitment to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians living anywhere in the Diaspora’ was unwavering.
Senator Lawan commended ‘the doggedness, passion and determination’ of the NIDCOM Boss in bringing Diaspora issues to the front burner right from her days in Parliament and now as Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM.
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On DiasporaVoting, Senator Lawan said he is optimistic that ‘one day and soon enough, Nigerians anywhere in the world would freely exercise their franchise’.
This position was corroborated by the Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, emphasising that the National Assembly is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to put mechanisms that will ensure Nigerians anywhere in the world would freely vote.
The Senate President also gave assurances that the 9the Senate is the Nigerian Senate that ensures Bills that are people-centered are considered and passed.
Senator Lawan promised to support NIDCOM in its enormous task of engaging the Diaspora especially with the adoption and ratification of the National Diaspora Policy in tandem with Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.
Gbajabiamila on his part also assured legislative work on Diaspora voting and support for NiDCom
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured that the Green Chamber would work comprehensively on the issue of Diaspora voting.
He said being a constitutional matter, the House would be very thorough in the process of working on the Bill seeking to empower Nigerians abroad to vote during the country’s elections.
He noted that the issue of Diaspora voting has been on the front burner for a long time, the Speaker said it requires a constitutional amendment, as ‘…the constitution talks about those who reside in Nigeria’.
The Speaker also urged the commission to consider going beyond the compendium by looking at how to further encourage others on how to strive to be part of those listed in the compendium, while assuring NiDCom of further parliamentary support to enhance its work.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
