Diaspora Voting Council Accuses Nigerians Abroad Of Disenfranchisement

The Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC) has condemned the recent Constitutional Amendment Review Session by both chambers of the National Assembly for what it calls the disenfranchisement of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The council expressed regrets that the Diaspora Voting Bill was defeated by Nigeria’s upper and lower legislative houses on March 1, 2022, in a statement signed by its secretary, Tolu Oluwatuyi Esq, on Friday.
I regret to inform my fellow Nigerians in the Diaspora that the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill was defeated by Nigeria’s upper and lower legislative houses at the Constitutional Amendment Review Session (third reading) held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Nigeria on March 1st, 2022.”

“A Bill for an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution of 1999 to Provide for Diaspora Voting; and for Other Purposes.”

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“Yes = 29 in the Senate (Upper Chamber).” 62 is the number.
Yes = 58 in the House of Representatives (Lower Chamber). “Number = 240.” Given the amount of effort and resources put in by the Council and several Diaspora organizations to date, this is a setback. A setback frequently leads us down a path that is even worse but ultimately leads to a better destination. It reads, “Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm,” according to Winston Churchill.

The Council, on the other hand, reassured Diasporans that the NDVC is more determined to succeed than to abandon its campaign for Diaspora Voting (DV) in Nigeria.

“Until the goal is met, NDVC will not stop working to spread the word about its advocacy.” In the future, the NDVC will publish a timeline of activities in due time.”
“Given the renewed determination, the board of the NDVC has decided to step up its efforts, bring on board more well-known and influential Diaspora groups that will add value to the advocacy, including State Diaspora Focal point officers, broaden and intensify diplomacy, review the provisions of the existing Diaspora Voting Bill with the assistance of NIDCOM, INEC, and NASS, and re-strategize going forward.”

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The Council praised Rep. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, and her team for their patriotism, dedication, and commitment to DV advocacy.
“If anyone deserves all the accolades, it is Hon. (Mrs) Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, House Committee Chairperson on Diaspora and Electoral Matters, the National Assembly Sponsor of the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill. Hon. (Mrs) Akande-Sadipe and her tireless team, led by Mrs. Omoshalewa, worked tirelessly to ensure that the DV Bill was passed. The NDVC cannot express its gratitude enough for the numerous trips she took during the zonal public hearings, risking her life in the process, just to ensure that the Diaspora Voting Bill was a success.”

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the chairmanship of Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for the technical know-how support and willingness to help thus far; the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) and other Diaspora groups and persons for their unwavering support; and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and other Diaspora groups and persons for their unwavering support.