The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has hinted that the ruling party is working closely with the National Assembly to ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora vote during elections.

Ganduje made this disclosure while unveiling a new executive committee for the France chapter of the party in Paris on Monday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje noted that the party would collaborate with other relevant agencies to ensure full political inclusion for Nigerians living abroad.

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

“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.

“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 Assembly members, and other notable political figures. Our party respects its constitution and practices internal democracy.”

The APC National Chairman also expressed optimism that the party and Nigerians would return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 election.

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

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

The PUNCH reports that Nigerians in the diaspora have long been calling for the establishment of a legal framework that will allow them to exercise their franchise despite being away from the country.

In the last quarter of 2024, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Sadiq Abdullahi, a lawmaker from Kano State, jointly sponsored a proposed bill seeking to enable qualified citizens residing outside the country to vote in elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Nigeria.

The bill is yet to pass the second reading stage and has been regarded by lawmakers as a major piece of legislation that could help improve the country’s democratic image.


https://punchng.com/apc-nassembly-working-to-enable-diaspora-nigerians-vote-ganduje/