Pass the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill Now- Let Every Nigerian Vote.
Pass the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Bill Now- Let Every Nigerian Vote.
The issue
We, Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, demand the immediate passage of the constitutional amendment bill that will grant voting rights to millions of Nigerians living abroad.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution currently restricts voting to only those “residing in Nigeria.” This outdated provision disenfranchises millions of patriotic Nigerians who contribute enormously to our nation’s development through remittances (over $20 billion annually), skills transfer, investments, and advocacy.
A bill to correct this injustice is already before the National Assembly:
Sponsored by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and co-sponsored by Hon. Sodeeq Abdullahi.
It successfully passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives on 20th November 2024.
The bill seeks to amend Sections 77(2) and 117(2) of the 1999 Constitution to allow eligible Nigerians abroad to register and vote.
INEC has publicly supported this reform, and many African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, and others already successfully allow their diaspora citizens to vote — some even with dedicated parliamentary seats.
Why this matters:
Nigerians in the Diaspora are not second-class citizens. We pay taxes (directly or indirectly), support our families, and remain deeply invested in Nigeria’s progress. Denying us the right to vote in national elections contradicts the spirit of democracy and the “One Nigeria” we all cherish.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, we cannot afford further delay. Every day counts.
Our demands:
The House of Representatives should immediately constitute a committee, hold public hearings, and pass the bill through Third Reading before the end of 2026.
The Senate should expeditiously consider and pass the bill in concurrence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should give swift assent once it reaches his desk.
INEC should be adequately funded and empowered to begin diaspora voter registration and implement secure voting mechanisms (embassies, postal, or electronic options) ahead of 2027.
We urge all National Assembly members, especially the leadership of the 10th Assembly, to treat this as a national priority that unites Nigerians at home and abroad.
Sign this petition and share it widely. Let your voice be heard. Together, we can make history and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
104
The issue
We, Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, demand the immediate passage of the constitutional amendment bill that will grant voting rights to millions of Nigerians living abroad.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution currently restricts voting to only those “residing in Nigeria.” This outdated provision disenfranchises millions of patriotic Nigerians who contribute enormously to our nation’s development through remittances (over $20 billion annually), skills transfer, investments, and advocacy.
A bill to correct this injustice is already before the National Assembly:
Sponsored by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and co-sponsored by Hon. Sodeeq Abdullahi.
It successfully passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives on 20th November 2024.
The bill seeks to amend Sections 77(2) and 117(2) of the 1999 Constitution to allow eligible Nigerians abroad to register and vote.
INEC has publicly supported this reform, and many African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, and others already successfully allow their diaspora citizens to vote — some even with dedicated parliamentary seats.
Why this matters:
Nigerians in the Diaspora are not second-class citizens. We pay taxes (directly or indirectly), support our families, and remain deeply invested in Nigeria’s progress. Denying us the right to vote in national elections contradicts the spirit of democracy and the “One Nigeria” we all cherish.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, we cannot afford further delay. Every day counts.
Our demands:
The House of Representatives should immediately constitute a committee, hold public hearings, and pass the bill through Third Reading before the end of 2026.
The Senate should expeditiously consider and pass the bill in concurrence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should give swift assent once it reaches his desk.
INEC should be adequately funded and empowered to begin diaspora voter registration and implement secure voting mechanisms (embassies, postal, or electronic options) ahead of 2027.
We urge all National Assembly members, especially the leadership of the 10th Assembly, to treat this as a national priority that unites Nigerians at home and abroad.
Sign this petition and share it widely. Let your voice be heard. Together, we can make history and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
104
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Petition created on 5 May 2026