We’re working with N/Assembly to institute diaspora voting – Ganduje

National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, says the party is working closely with the National Assembly to realise the long-sought goal of diaspora voting.

Ganduje spoke while inaugurating a new executive committee for the France chapter of the party in Paris.

News reports states that creating a legal framework for Nigerians in diaspora to vote in Nigeria during elections has been a long-standing issue.

However, in the last quarter of 2024, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Sadiq Abdullahi, lawmaker from Kano state; jointly sponsored a proposed legislation seeking to enable qualified citizens residing outside the country’s shores to vote in elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje also said the party would work hard with other relevant agencies to ensure full political inclusion for Nigerians living abroad.

Ganduje, a former governor of Kano, further assured the gathering that the APC in Nigeria was waxing stronger, stressing that its stability has triggered a gale of defections from opposition parties to its fold ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC helmsman also expressed optimism that the party and Nigerians would return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term of office in the 2027 poll.

“We appreciate you for holding the banner of our party, expanding its membership, and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in light of the critical reforms he is undertaking. There is now more funding for capital development, and both governors and local government chairmen can attest to this,” Ganduje said.

“There is peace in the APC, unlike in other parties that are battling internal crises. Because of this enabling environment many are decamping to our party, including Senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Assemblies members, and other notable political figures. Our party respects its constitution and practices internal democracy,” he added.

In her response, the newly sworn in Chairperson of the APC France chapter, Hajjiya Amina Musa Baba Suzuki, said Nigerians in the diaspora play both economic and political roles for the development of Nigeria.

She however, advocated stronger support for APC chapters in diaspora, emphasising their role as mobilisers and promoters of Nigeria’s interest abroad.