Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, August 25 stated that Nigerians in diaspora would still have to wait for a while before they can start voting in Nigeria’s elections from their respective bases abroad.
The president stressed that a lot of logistics needed to be in place first, and absentee voting was in Nigeria’s future.
President Buhari disclosed this while speaking at the 2015 Diaspora Day held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, themed: “Diaspora and Nigeria Change Agenda.”
The president, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said that legislation, huge finance, and confidence in the electoral system were required before diaspora voting can begin.
He said: “We are also aware of the importance of voting rights of Nigerians abroad. But to achieve this, the National Assembly will have to legislate. Diaspora voting is in Nigeria’s future.
“Because obviously there is a lot to be done including building confidence in the Nigerian electoral process. The skills and planning required in planning a number of national election in an atmosphere of continued suspicion of each party is a major challenge itself.
“Our electoral process is evolving and as greater confidence is built in the institutions and processes associated with it we may then create voting opportunities for our citizens abroad in the not too distant future,” he added.
He noted that his administration is building a new Nigeria that requires the support and participation of all, including Nigerians in diaspora.
Meanwhile, Nigerians in diaspora have been given a great opportunity by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to do their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) registration.
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