By Dr. Michael Omoruyi
As Nigeria edges toward its next general election cycle, the chorus for diaspora voting is growing louder—and rightly so. The recent visit by the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, led by Senator Dr. Rose Oko, to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) marked a pivotal moment in the long-overdue campaign to enfranchise the millions of Nigerians living abroad.
Nigeria is home to one of the world’s most vibrant diasporas—over 17 million strong, contributing more than $24 billion in annual remittances. They are doctors in New York, engineers in London, scholars in Toronto, and entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. Yet when it comes to choosing who governs their homeland, they are voiceless. This contradiction must end.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made it unequivocally clear: the Commission is technically prepared to implement diaspora voting. What remains is the legal architecture—a constitutional amendment and enabling legislation—from the National Assembly. The political will is now essential.
Senator Oko’s advocacy during the Senate Committee’s engagement with INEC was bold and commendable. Her assertion that denying the diaspora their voting rights is unjust and undemocratic captures the urgency of the moment. The diaspora do not merely contribute financially; they are intellectual partners, global brand ambassadors, and defenders of Nigerian dignity on the world stage. Excluding them from the ballot box is akin to amputating a functioning limb from the democratic body.
Of course, critics will raise concerns—logistics, data integrity, and the risk of electoral fraud. These are real but manageable in the digital age. Secure biometric verification, centralized overseas polling centers, and phased rollouts starting with presidential elections in countries like the U.S., U.K., and South Africa offer a practical roadmap.
We must also confront the symbolic power of diaspora voting. In a fractured world, it affirms our unity across borders. In a cynical age, it signals that Nigeria is ready to embrace modern democratic standards. And most importantly, it tells every Nigerian—at home or abroad—that their voice matters.
The clock is ticking toward 2027. If we are truly serious about building an inclusive, future-facing democracy, then diaspora voting should not be up for debate—it should be the law.
Let the diaspora vote. Let Nigeria rise.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is an IT expert, educator, and director of diaspora affairs for the Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC). A passionate advocate for electoral reform, digital inclusion, and African diaspora engagement. He is the publisher of iNewsAfrica, a leading platform for African voices, and holds multiple advanced degrees in Information Technology, Project Management, and Generative AI Ethics.
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