Dear Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa… Let That Day Be This Day! -By J.A. Ezihe

It would appear the subject of enabling the Nigerian diaspora participate in its democracy has rapidly deteriorated into a mere interesting subject of conversation. Seemingly destined to end on a note of wishful thinking. Maybe someday the Nigerian diaspora will be allowed to vote.

Ma’am, I write in the hope that you may be willing (for you are undoubtedly able) to rescue this topic from the well of wishful thinking.

Why someday? … Why not this day?

On some days the best man for the job is a WOMAN! In writing this appeal I have taken into account your antecedents and track record.

The Nigerian Diaspora has never been enabled to participate in its electoral process. This omission dates back to pre-Independence times. Therefore a historical niche is waiting for someone’s name to be carved into it. The story will read ‘For the first time the Nigerian Diaspora voted in a Nigerian election. It was largely due to the effort(s) of …’

I am hoping your name will complete this line.

However it is important to note that one of the frontline Presidential aspirants has already promised that if elected he will rectify this situation.

If … if he wins this election I fear that future historians will attribute the change solely to him. So for anyone else to seize the moment, the time to act is NOW.   

Facts that you are eminently familiar with:

Over 17 million Nigerians live in the diaspora. Some reckon more. That is between 8 to 10% of the Nigerian population if one uses an estimate of 200 million. At least 50% of these must be eligible to vote.

One may wish to question the ‘democraticness’ of a process that deliberately disenfranchises 5 to 8% of its population?

This year alone two other African countries held elections in which their diaspora participated. Nigeria is older than both these countries. By the time Angola gained independence in 1975, Nigeria was already a teenager.  If Kenya can … then why can Nigeria not?

This is not to take any shine away from the Kenyans and Angolans. We rejoice and celebrate the achievements of these younger sister nations. However, on the other hand it is a bitter pill to swallow. For none of these countries was or is described as the giant of Africa.

Is it too late?

When in life is it too late to do the right thing?

Is it too difficult?

The failure to navigate the processes that would have brought this into being does not stem from difficulty. Rather there has been a complete failure of will to implement.

Is there enough time left before February 2023?

Those in the diaspora live in countries many of whom have already implemented diaspora voting. So we are not required to reinvent or even reimagine the wheel. There are existing templates. What we largely need to do is copy and paste the relevant.

Every foreign country has a Nigerian embassy. Every Nigerian citizen in the diaspora intending to vote will have a Nigerian passport.  Using present day technology this is arguably the simplest voter register to assemble and verify.

The BVN exercise was successfully carried out both at home and in the diaspora using modern technology. It shows that where there is a will, there is a way.

The Act establishing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission seeks to engage its diaspora in policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria. What greater milestone in the development of Nigeria than the election of Leaders to pilot its affairs?

I write this letter to you on the eve of our 62nd birthday. There is little to celebrate. As I reflect on how we strayed so far from our destiny, my mind goes to an Igbo saying, ‘Iberibe kanma na nwata’. Loosely translated – ‘It is better to be foolish when one is young as it is easier to forgive foolishness in a child’.

Sadly at 62, Nigeria is suffering from failure to thrive and is now a classic study in Adult Iberiberism.

I urge you to please salvage this one aspect that lies within your remit.

And if perchance you give it YOUR ALL and still do not achieve 100% success, I trust history will be kind and credit you with 100% effort.

Let that day be this day.

With my usual respectful regards

J.A. Ezihe (Dr)