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Thursday 21 June 2018

'Diaspora Vote' Is Very Important In A Modern Nigeria

"Nigeria's disapora remitted $22billion to Nigeria in 2017. That is almost Kenya's entire budget for 2018. Our diaspora is the single largest source of  Foreign Direct Investment-FDI into Nigeria. Help me lobby your Senator as I push for a Constitutional ammendment to enable them vote in future elections"- Senator Ben Murray-Bruce. Photo: Uche Okeke

Another election is round the corner, the Nigeria government is yet to let the diaspora have a say in how the country is run.  No doubt the diaspora community is a huge force for development, its very imperative that they take part in elections in their home countries since they actively contribute to the GDP and local economic development.

Today's technology has made it possible for diaspora to participate actively in the electoral process as they are better informed to make right choices that can effect 'sound government'. We have just read a new report by Southern and Middle Belt leaders accusing INEC of registering foreigners from Niger Republic to vote in 2019 elections. This shows that inability to allow Nigeria diaspora to vote could be a deliberate policy to continue business as usual.

The need for diaspora vote also supports our arguement about restructuring- reform to improve the current dysfunctional political system designed to serve the interest of the few. We cannot address the issues of inclusion without urgent constitutional settlement to accomodate the challenges of today. Diaspora vote will definitely make a huge difference.

The Minister for Science and technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has recently asked Nigeria diaspora to return home, and help build the country, but all is not well at home, a lot has gone wrong-widespread insecurity, poor infrastructural development including electricity, internet/broadband, poor public services including education and healthcare services, poor intellectual property laws, and ease of doing business, unnecessary bureaucracy, lack of financial support, dictatorship, favouritism, identity politics, political bias, massive corruption, and prolonged uncertainties; this may not be what the diaspora needs.

Uche Okeke.

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