Sen. Ned Nwoko of Delta North says he would introduce a constitutional amendment bill to enable Nigerians living abroad to run for office in the national assembly.
Nwoko said in a statement issued on Saturday that it is crucial to allow Nigerians living abroad the chance to fully engage in the political processes.
The senator claims that the proposed legislation aims to provide Nigerians living abroad the ability to vote, be elected, and hold four permanent seats in the national assembly.
“I want to seek an amendment to the constitution that will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in electoral processes in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“This includes: to be able to vote, to be able to be voted for, to have 4 permanent seats allocated to them in both chambers — one for those in America, one for Asia, one for Africa, and one for Europe.
“The Nigerian diaspora, comprised of millions of Nigerians living abroad, forms a vital and dynamic part of our nation’s global community.
“These individuals maintain deep ties to their homeland and possess a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources that can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s growth and development.
“In recognizing the importance of their engagement, it is imperative to explore avenues for their active participation in our electoral processes.
“This proposal seeks to introduce necessary amendments to the Nigerian Constitution, granting Nigerians in the diaspora the right to vote, the ability to be voted for, and the establishment of dedicated representation in the legislative chambers.”
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