Senator representing Ekiti Central and Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has disclosed that the Red Chamber will consider diaspora voting rights when the review of the existing 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria commences.
Senator Bamidele disclosed this while contributing to a virtual diaspora dialogue at the weekend.
The dialogue was organised by the Directorate of Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, in collaboration with the Engage Diaspora Foundation and the Nigeria Diaspora Foundation.
The Senate Leader, who justified the resolve of the National Assembly to review the 1999 Constitution, assured that diaspora voting rights would form part of the proposed constitution review.
He said, “Let me tell you some good news. Not that we are trying to bring the bill back; the bill is already on the floor of the 10th Senate. Exactly two weeks ago, we had the first reading of the bill. It has already been scheduled for a second reading.
“Definitely, as the Leader of the Senate, I can assure you that we will consider the second reading of the bill this week. After this stage, it will be referred to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
“As it presently is, the constitution review committee is chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate. As the leader of the Senate, I am the Vice Chairman. You can rest assured that I am with you in this effort.
“I see this fight as a generational fight. It is about your children. It is also about ensuring greater inclusion in our electoral process. We cannot be interested in what is coming from you, but we deny your right to vote.
“Diaspora voting is a right that must be recognised in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After the passage of the bill, it will be taken to the House of Representatives for concurrence,” the senate leader explained at the virtual diaspora dialogue.
In accordance with legislative practice, Senator Bamidele said that after the concurrence of both chambers of the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly, and two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly must approve it to become effective.
Bamidele challenged the stakeholders to engage governors of the 36 states of the federation and Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill into law.
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