Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko has challenged the Nigerian diaspora to organise
themselves to take up federal positions in Nigeria that will serve their interest
and that of their children in Diaspora.
In an organised Zoom call on 15 th July 2023, the senator informed Nigerians in
Diaspora that for the first time a bill has been raised seeking to amend the
Nigerian constitution to allow Nigerians in Diaspora to “Vote and be Voted
for”. This will enable the permanent involvement of the Diaspora in Nigeria
going forward.
Senator Ned Nwoko proposes up to four Diaspora representatives working
from the Federal Capital Abuja under this administration if the bill is successful.
To amend the constitution to allow the diaspora to “vote & be voted for”. The
federal Govt of Nigeria will need to ascertain that this is of interest to the
Nigerians in the diaspora. To that end a petition has been raised by Sen. Ned
Nwoko that needs as many signatures as possible from the Nigerian diaspora.
The Senator cannot argue without our support, and our signatures on the
petition represents that.
He said anyone outside of Nigeria from Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, Dubai, Europe,
Asia, Ireland, UK, USA & Canada are classed as Nigerian diaspora, and that
number is now over 10million. It is time for the Diaspora to think hard about
their involvement and their children’s involvement in their home country. This
is why he has raised this bill to amend the constitution.
Senator Ned has appointed Patrick U Maidoh, a UK investment banker, as
Global diaspora director to spearhead this operation, stating that the potential
of the Nigerian diaspora can only be realised by diasporans.
Newspaper reports in Nigeria state as of 20 November 2023, the bill for
diaspora to vote and be voted for has hit the senate floor. On a last note, the
senator gave his personal mobile number to all Nigerians in Diaspora on the
last Zoom call, stating he is very happy to engage with anyone on this matter.
Believe me we have tried the number, and it works.