Polls: Babangida seeks inclusion of Nigerians abroad

ABUJA — To make the electoral process more inclusive and participatory, former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has called for a law that would enable Nigerians living abroad to vote and be voted for during elections.

According to him, the measure would not only stop the disenfranchisement of the affected Nigerians but also enable them contribute to enthroning our leadership.

In a statement by Prince Kassim Afegbua, his media spokesman entitled: “Nigerians in The Diaspora Deserve to Vote and be Voted for,” Babangida said the population of Nigerians abroad had been increasing over the years as well as their remittances to the country.

His words: “Given the growing number of Nigerians in the Diaspora, it has become very imperative and desirable for us to commence the process of enacting the appropriate legislation that would accommodate them in the electoral process.

“Our democracy must be designed in such a way as to accommodate every Nigerian, no matter where he or she may be, to be part of the process of enthroning leadership through the ballot box. That is one way to make the process participatory, all-inclusive and engaging for all citizens and to engender a sense of belonging.

“I am of the considered view that Nigerians in the Diaspora have a lot to contribute in ensuring that there are credible, free and fair elections in the country. One way to go about this is to increase the advocacy level and use the opportunity of the global platform to contribute to the quest for credible elections in Nigeria.”