Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has accused some Nigerians in the diaspora of aiding corrupt politicians and facilitating illicit activities linked to stolen public funds. He made these comments at News Central's Diaspora Town Hall in New York on September 26. The town hall, themed "The Diaspora Voting Bill: Promise, Politics and the Path Forward," brought together various stakeholders to discuss the campaign for voting rights for Nigerians living abroad. Sowore emphasized that Nigerians abroad cannot demand greater political participation without confronting the complicity of some community members in corrupt officials' activities.
Sowore questioned the role of diaspora Nigerians in facilitating corrupt activities, asking if they were complicit in crimes happening at home by helping corrupt politicians buy lands and properties with stolen funds. His comments sparked a renewed debate on the involvement of diaspora Nigerians in the country's politics. The AAC candidate also highlighted the significant potential voting bloc that the Nigerian diaspora represents, whose participation could influence the country's political direction if granted voting rights. He urged them to become more politically conscious and deliberate about the kind of leadership they want for the country.
The town hall discussion also examined practical issues surrounding diaspora voting, including voter registration, identity verification, funding, electoral infrastructure, and the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to administer elections across different countries. Other participants renewed calls for the passage and implementation of legislation allowing Nigerians abroad to vote. Edward Ilechukwu, Special Envoy on Gender Affairs Education to the United Nations and Peace Ambassador, called on INEC to establish a dedicated diaspora voters' register.
Prof Jelili Adebiyi, Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Leaders of Africa Institute, highlighted the importance of diaspora remittances to Nigerian households and the wider economy. Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman of NIDO Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, described the campaign for diaspora voting as a long-running struggle marked by years of advocacy and limited progress. He called for clearer timelines and stronger coordination among diaspora organizations pushing for voting rights.
Daniel Jayeoba, Founder of Nigerians in New York, emphasized the need to focus on the long-term relationship between Nigeria and its citizens abroad, warning that indifference could weaken that relationship. Stephen Osemwegie, President and Founder of Save Nigeria Group USA, urged the National Assembly to pass the Diaspora Voting Bill, arguing that Nigerians abroad should be able to participate directly in choosing the country's leaders.
Sowore also argued that political resistance to diaspora voting was partly driven by fear among politicians that Nigerians abroad would be harder to influence through traditional forms of electoral inducement. He alleged that some Nigerians abroad were corrupt and that politicians did not take the diaspora community seriously enough, linking this to weaknesses within the community.
The debate over whether Nigerians living abroad should be granted voting rights and what institutional safeguards would be required to implement such a system continues. Key stakeholders, including politicians, diaspora advocates, academics, professionals, and community leaders, are expected to continue pushing for the passage and implementation of the Diaspora Voting Bill.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore accuses diaspora Nigerians of aiding corrupt politicians.
- The Nigerian diaspora represents a significant potential voting bloc.
- Participants call for the passage of the Diaspora Voting Bill.
