A group of Nigerians living abroad staged a peaceful rally in Abuja on Thursday, calling on the National Assembly to enact legislation that would allow Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the country’s electoral process.
Despite heavy rainfall, the group—numbering around 50—marched from the Unity Fountain through major streets of the capital, stopping at the Eagle Square to address the media before proceeding to the gates of the National Assembly. There, they dispatched representatives to submit their petition to federal lawmakers.
The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “Nigerians in Diaspora urge NASS to legislate diaspora voting,” “Nigeria is home, let us vote,” “Diaspora votes matter,” and “We should vote, let our voice count.”
Addressing journalists, the Coordinating Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO) Worldwide, Mr. Chibuzo Ubochi, urged the 10th National Assembly to leave a lasting mark on Nigeria’s democratic evolution by passing the Diaspora Voting Bill. He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to be the first Nigerian leader to advance inclusive governance by assenting to the bill once passed.
“The Nigerian Constitution acknowledges the rights of citizens—including those living abroad—to participate in elections once they are of voting age,” Ubochi said. “We are Nigerians, bearing names like Chibuzor, Ibrahim, and Ade. We eat Nigerian food, run Nigerian businesses, and carry our green passports proudly. So why are we denied the right to vote?”
He stressed that while past leaders have expressed support for diaspora voting, the National Assembly has yet to take the necessary legislative steps. “This is why we’re here—to urge them to do the right thing and include us in the ongoing constitutional review process,” he added.
Former NiDO-Worldwide Chairman, Dr. Victor Ubani, echoed the call, urging President Tinubu to set a historic precedent by signing the bill into law when it reaches his desk. “We appeal to the National Assembly to act now. The only way to affirm that we remain Nigerians is by allowing us to help decide the country’s future through our votes,” Ubani said.
Also speaking at the event, the Global President of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANS-Diaspora), Chris Fayomi, applauded the federal government’s commitment to democratic development but emphasized the need for deeper inclusion.
“We’ve come from across different continents to demand action on diaspora voting. With over 17 million Nigerians abroad, no democratic reform will be more impactful than allowing us to participate in elections,” Fayomi stated.
