Ned Nwoko seeks Senate, House of Reps slots for Nigerians in Diaspora

The senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, says he will initiate a constitutional amendment bill to allow Nigerians in diaspora to contest for elective positions in the National Assembly.

In a statement released on Saturday, Nwoko said it was important that Nigerians in diaspora are given the opportunity to actively participate in the electoral processes.

According to the senator, the proposed bill seeks to grant Nigerians in diaspora the opportunity to vote, be voted for, and have four permanent seats in the National Assembly.

The statement read, “I want to seek an amendment to the constitution that will enable Nigerians in diaspora to participate in electoral processes in Nigeria.

“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.”