Change Nigeria Project

Abuja — Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review (JCCR), Ike Ekweremadu, raised hopes of Nigerians living outside the country voting from countries of their residence in future elections in the country.

Ekweremadu, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, announced the readiness of the National Assembly to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution that would help Nigerians in the Diaspora actualise the ambition.

He made the pronouncement when he received the leadership of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation In Europe (NIDOE) in his office on Friday.

The Deputy Senate President said granting of voting rights to Nigerians in the Diaspora involves amending relevant sections of the Constitution and Electoral Act.

"Realising the dream of guaranteeing voting rights to Nigerians in the Diaspora is a constitutional matter and it has to go through some constitutional reforms before it is implemented," he said. Furthermore, he said a Bill for an Act to boost NIDOE's operations and accord it legal recognition by the Federal Government was also being processed.

The bill, which was initiated by the NIDOE, also sought the establishment of a commission for the Diaspora Affairs.

"NIDOE has played very significant roles in reducing negative and ignorance-based criticisms of Nigeria at the international level.

"I must say that NIDOE has been playing very useful roles and that is why it is being taken seriously. It has helped in reducing the negative criticisms of Nigeria abroad.

"We are now seeing more constructive criticisms and not those ones that were based on sheer ignorance. To this extent, I want to say that the Senate supports all the programmes of NIDOE.

"We will also support the bill for the setting up of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission."

NIDOE Chairman, John George, who led the delegation, said they were at the National Assembly to seek partnership on the group's programmes.

Other members of the delegation include George Manuwuike, Director, Nigerian Affairs (Middle Europe); Lola Mabogunje, Chairman, NIDOE, Dutch chapter, and Gray Okute, NIDOE Europe Board member.