The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu says Nigeria is not yet prepared for Diaspora voting in 2019.
The Chairman of the Commission who was represented by National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Anthonia Simbinne, made this disclosure on Wednesday at an international conference tagged “Enfranchising the African Diaspora: Comparing Notes across Sub-Saharan Africa” held at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.
According to him, “until issues of constitutional amendment is done to pave way for the incorporation of the Diaspora as well as Diaspora voter registration, and cost are scaled, the Diaspora will have to wait a little longer to actualize their dreams.”
He explained that the introduction of such laws would require the Commission to spend millions of Dollars on logistics as the process would start with registration of eligible voters among others.
The Chairman of the Commission further called on the National Assembly to expedite action that will allow for Diaspora voting as well as make budgetary provision to ensure a successful exercise. He also assured that the Commission will work towards improving electoral processes in the country.
"It is important to state categorically that the commission is committed to implementing any and every activity that will improve the electoral process and accessibility of franchise to all Nigerians, albeit within the ambit of law."
The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said that the institution had continued to offer leadership by being the first to have a programme focusing on the Diaspora and Transnational Studies.
Olayinka said that African Diaspora could not continue to be pushed to the margin and have taken the centre stage in the transformation of Africa in politics and economy as well as social fronts.
