Diaspora Voting: Group Advises INEC Ahead 2023 Elections

Diaspora Voting: Group Advises INEC Ahead 2023 Elections

Diaspora voting has again been highlighted as one of the key areas to focus on for 2023 general elections, THECONSCIENCEng reports.

A new advocacy and support group, One Nation, One Destiny Advocacy and Awareness Initiative which made the call urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give Nigerians in Diaspora equal opportunity of voting come 2023.

The group added that it was out to support relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility of sensitising Nigerians towards national rebirth.

The Group made the call for an urgent look into diaspora voting during her inaugural meeting.

A statement signed and made available to THECONSCIENCEng by its National Coordinator, Hajia Khalima Kabir Lamisila said, “Technology has made things simpler and there is no excuse not to enfranchise more Nigerians through Diaspora voting in the coming general elections.

The statement further reads, “Since 2012, six Members of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, House Committee Chair on Nigerians in the Diaspora sponsored a Legislative Bill that sought to amend Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2010 in order to grant Nigerians in the Diaspora the right to vote during general elections in Nigeria.”

It however call on relevant stakeholders in government and private organisations as well as development partners at home and abroad to join hands with the group in expediting action in soonest possible time to make Diaspora voting a reality in Nigeria.

The Group which focuses on building a new nation equally advocated for a change of attitude by its citizens, calling on well-meaning Nigerians to join in the task of using the instruments of love and unity as tools for sustaining oneness and togetherness in Nigeria.

Some highlights of the meeting include a suggestion to have royal fathers as peace ambassadors and the use of electronic, print and social media to reach out to citizens on patriotism amongst others.

The meeting was attended by other national officers of the group namely Engr. Jeleel Haleem Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrahman Aliagan, Director Media, ICT & Research and Mr. Olatunbosun Awe, Director Policy, Strategy, Advocacy & Networking.

One Nation, One Destiny Movement is a socio-political movement that is out to project and promote democracy and credible leaders that will serve as a lasting solution to leadership questions in Nigeria.

The Movement borrowed a leaf from a Philosophy that changed the narrative in the United States of America till date called “The Manifest Destiny”, though with a sharp difference in approach and ideology.

It identifies the roles of leaders in any given organized society as vital for the development and sustenance. The group is aware that corruption, self-serving policies, nepotism, weak institutions, constitutional abuse among others are the major problems affecting leadership in Nigeria.