Reps committed to diaspora voting – Gbajabiamila


Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the 9th House is committed to the issue of Diaspora voting.
Gbajabiamila said millions of Nigerians who strive to make a living outside the country “have as much a stake in the present and future of Nigeria as those of us who live here.”


Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop organised  by the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council, Monday in Abuja, the speaker noted that after years of struggle on the issue of diaspora voting, “there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel” under the current National Assembly.


He said however, there were challenges that needed to be addressed in the process of coming up with a law that would enable Nigerians abroad vote during elections.
“I’m saying all this because I want us to make the process a near-perfect one. There are so many issues that surround the issue, and we need to address them. But I’m for diaspora voting,” he said.


“The topic of diaspora voting has within a short time become a matter of intense public debate. This reflects the capacity of our diaspora citizens to influence the content and tone of public policy conversations here at home.


“It also causes us to confront the simple, unavoidable reality that this is a subject matter for which we must find resolution within the shortest possible time. It is true that our electoral process in Nigeria is far from perfect. We have a lot of work to do to ensure that we deliver on an electoral system that is faithful to the best expectations of the Nigerian people. We have started that work, and we will succeed in that objective,” the speaker stated.

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