The dream of many Nigerians living abroad to exercise their franchise in the country’s general election may soon come to reality in 2019, if the National Assembly eventually amends the laws that inhibit the exercise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ambassador Bulus Lolo, gave the assurance when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and his counterpart, Hajia Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim met the diplomatic correspondents at a press briefing in Abuja.
Lolo, who noted the target the Federal Government is looking up to on Diaspora voting is 2019, said government is constraint by the laws.
“Everyone has the responsibility to lobby National Assembly. If we succeed in this, then Nigerians in the Diaspora will have to vote. Second, we take into consideration logistics. You know Nigerians are the most travelled. It is our aspiration; it is a desire government has but we are constraint by the laws,” the permanent secretary said.
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Onyeama, said the Federal Government is doing all within its reach to protect Nigerians living abroad against unfavourable policies of foreign countries.
Speaking on the contribution of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the development of the country, the minister said about 20 to 25 billion dollars are realised by government from them.
On the frequent trips of President Muhammadu Buhari abroad, Onyeama, who said the president is committed to quick results of bilateral agreements with foreign countries, added that the importance of heads of states meeting each other cannot be underrated.
“If you want quick deliverables, your presidents will have personal engagement,” he said.
The minister hinted that in a few days’ time, President Buhari will be travelling to Washington, and then China for bilateral talks.
Also speaking, the Minister of State, Hajia Bukar Abba Ibrahim, reiterated that the president’s frequent trips are to project the country’s domestic policy, which center on strengthening the security, fighting corruption and boosting the economy.
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