WHY NIGERIA FEARS ITS DIASPORA: THE BATTLE FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE

The Long Road to Diaspora Voting Rights in Nigeria (1999 to Present)

A Long Standing Demand from Nigerians Abroad

Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, Nigerians living abroad have consistently called for the right to vote from outside the country. These diaspora Nigerians, estimated to be between 1.7 million and as high as 20 million, contribute enormously to the nation. They send home billions in remittances, maintain strong cultural ties, and actively follow Nigerian politics. Yet Nigeria’s laws currently bar external voting, as the 1999 Constitution restricts voting rights to citizens residing in Nigeria during voter registration. This means unless they return home to vote physically, millions are disenfranchised.

Early Promises and Failed Attempts

In the 2000s, diaspora activists and some government officials began pushing for external voting. President Goodluck Jonathan pledged in 2010 that diaspora Nigerians would be able to vote by the 2015 elections once electronic voting became feasible. That promise did not materialize. In 2012, then lawmaker Abike Dabiri-Erewa introduced a bill to amend the Electoral Act to permit diaspora voting. The proposal stalled.

By 2016, the Independent National Electoral Commission began publicly urging lawmakers to act. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu stated that Nigerians abroad deserve voting rights due to their economic and social contributions. INEC maintained that it was technically ready to include diaspora voters if the legal framework allowed.

Legislative Failures and Obstacles

Changing the law has proven difficult. The Constitution limits registration and voting to in country residents. This means any diaspora voting scheme requires a constitutional amendment, which needs approval by two thirds of the National Assembly and state legislatures.

In 2022, a proposed constitutional amendment to enable diaspora voting was overwhelmingly rejected. Only 87 out of 390 lawmakers supported it, and the bill failed in both chambers. Lawmakers cited issues such as how to define diaspora voters, security, cost, logistics, and verification. Some feared that giving voting rights to those abroad would be chaotic and difficult to manage without existing infrastructure.

New Momentum in the 10th Assembly

 Despite past failures, 2023 brought renewed momentum. A new bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2024 by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The bill seeks to delete the residency requirement from the Constitution and allow INEC to organize diaspora voting at embassies and consulates. The bill passed second reading without opposition and was referred for further work.

Diaspora organizations such as Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation have also intensified advocacy. On National Diaspora Day 2025, NiDO led a public demonstration in Abuja demanding passage of the bill. NiDCOM, under the leadership of Dabiri Erewa, remains a strong advocate for diaspora voting. These movements emphasize that Nigerian citizens abroad remain part of the national fabric and deserve participation in governance.

Arguments Against Diaspora Voting

Opponents raise concerns about logistics, legality, and feasibility. Key arguments include:

• The Constitution prohibits non-residents from registering or voting. Without amending it, diaspora voting is illegal.
• Nigeria lacks the infrastructure to conduct secure overseas voting. Embassies may be overwhelmed.
• Defining who qualifies as diaspora is complex. Should undocumented migrants or those in African countries be eligible?
• Assigning diaspora voters to constituencies is challenging. Presidential voting might be manageable, but state and local elections pose complications.
• Ensuring voter identity and preventing double registration would be hard without a strong national data system.

Even supporters admit that these concerns are valid. But they insist that the issues are solvable and should not prevent progress.

Arguments for Diaspora Voting

Proponents argue that it is a fundamental right of citizenship to vote, regardless of residence. Other supporting points include:

• Diaspora Nigerians send over 20 billion dollars in remittances annually, supporting millions of families and the economy.
• Many countries, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal, allow their citizens abroad to vote.
• The diaspora is generally well educated, politically active, and less susceptible to local vote buying.
• Including diaspora voters would make elections more credible and enhance accountability.
• Denying voting rights to such a significant and contributing portion of the population is unfair and outdated.

The Political Fear Factor

Beneath the technical concerns, many believe that the real reason for resistance is political self-preservation. The political class fears that diaspora voters, being more independent, educated, and harder to manipulate, could support reformist or opposition candidates. This unpredictability is unsettling for incumbents used to controlling outcomes through local influence.

Diaspora Nigerians are known for backing progressive movements like End SARS and demanding better governance. They are vocal on social media, support independent candidates, and bring fresh perspectives. Empowering them could disrupt the status quo and shift electoral outcomes.

Conclusion: A Reform Whose Time Has Come

After over two decades of waiting, diaspora voting represents a necessary evolution in Nigerian democracy. While challenges exist, they can be addressed with proper planning and political will. Including diaspora Nigerians would bring a new level of engagement, accountability, and global perspective into the country’s political system.

If Nigeria truly values its citizens abroad for their remittances, skills, and patriotism, it must also value their voices at the ballot. The reluctance of lawmakers to pass diaspora voting laws raises critical questions: are they afraid of a more enlightened electorate? Are they comfortable manipulating less informed voters at home while excluding more informed ones abroad?

One thing is clear. A democracy that excludes millions of its most capable citizens is an incomplete democracy. Now is the time to act and make diaspora voting a reality.