The Nigeria Diaspora Commission NIDCOM said it has proposed policies to enable Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in the nearest future.
The Commission said it is taking a queue from the Namibian experience that allowed the country’s citizens in the Diaspora to vote in their places of domicile, during the last election.
The Commission’s Chairperson, Abike Dabiri – Erewa disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing the State House Correspondents after meeting with President Muhammmadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Commission Chairperson, the new Diaspora Policy which is awaiting rectification by the Federal Executive Council FEC, will be all encompassing and is expected to address all issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“ The President has mandated us at the Commission to do everything necessary to protect the interest of Nigerians in diaspora, it may not be easy, but we will ensure that we make a success out of the President’s directives.
She expressed hopes that the new policy will be ratified by the FEC in the new year.
The Commission Chairperson stated that the Commission will approach the National Assembly to amend relevant laws that will enable diaspora Nigerians to vote.
“We are also working to ensure a comprehensive Diaspora data base which will capture every Nigerian outside the shores of this country as well as their remittances back home “
“ We have dealt with lots of issues this year, from the xenophobic issues, to the issues of Nigerians returning home from South Africa and Libya, amongst several others, but we appeal to states yet to take actions on the returnees to please do so.”
Dabiri-Erewa said the Commission will in the coming years, work to enhance diaspora remittances said to be slightly above $25b in 2019.
She also commended states that have established diaspora commissions and urged others to key into the new federal government diaspora policy.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
