Obasanjo Backs Diaspora Voting
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has welcomed proposals for the nation to implement diaspora voting.
Obasanjo made the remark when the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa and some staff of the Commission paid him a courtesy call in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He questioned why the National Assembly couldn’t change the country’s rules to allow Nigerians living overseas to participate in elections.
The NIDCOM director commended Obasanjo for taking the initiative to organise Nigerians in the diaspora under the umbrella of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) more than 20 years ago.
She also shared with the previous president some of the NIDCOM’s accomplishments since its founding.
“This engagement process has led to investment by Nigerians in Diaspora in critical sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, housing, among others,” a statement from the agency’s Media, Public Relations Unit, signed by Gabriel Odu, read.
“The NIDCOM boss added that the Commission has also launched a Diaspora Data Mapping Portal for demographic and strategic development.”