No Diaspora voting for now, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the desire of Nigerians residing abroad to take part in the nation’s general elections from their places of abode would not be realised anytime soon.

He said although the idea was futuristic, a lot of steps would be taken to make it become a reality.

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, spoke at the opening of the 2015 Diaspora Day held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He listed some of the issues that must be resolved before the nation could adopt Diaspora voting to include amendment of the Electoral Act and building of confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, once greater confidence is built in the institutions and processes associated with it, Diaspora voting will be considered.

He said, “We are also aware of the importance of voting rights of Nigerians abroad. But to achieve this, the National Assembly will have to legislate. Diaspora voting is in Nigeria’s future, because obviously there is a lot to be done including building confidence in the Nigerian electoral process.

“The skills and planning required in planning a number of national election in an atmosphere of continued suspicion of each party is a major challenge by itself.

“Our electoral process is evolving and as greater confidence is built in the institutions and processes associated with it, we may then create voting opportunities for our citizens abroad in not too distant future.”