The demand for independent candidacy and diaspora voting has resurfaced as the 10th National Assembly begins another attempt at reforming the elections and amending the 1999 constitution in Nigeria.
Political analysts say what is at stake is not just electoral or constitutional reforms, but a fundamental reshaping of the nation’s political architecture – one that could either strengthen or strain the democratic foundation.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates the number of diaspora Nigerians at 17 million.
Proponents say the Diaspora Voting Bill and the Independent Candidacy Bill represent crucial steps towards deepening Nigeria’s democracy and giving citizens greater voice and choice in the electoral process.
“Millions of Nigerians living abroad continue to contribute to the nation’s development through remittances, expertise and global networks. Yet, they remain shut out of the electoral process,” Anthony Ubani, executive director, #Fixpolitics Africa, told BusinessDay.
“The Diaspora Voting Bill seeks to correct this injustice and give them the right to vote, just as citizens do in many progressive democracies.”
Ubani further pointed out that the independent candidacy bill is crucial because Nigerians are often left with limited political choices due to the stranglehold of political parties.
He stressed that the independent candidacy bill will open up the space for credible individuals to contest elections based on merit, not party structure.
“It will challenge the status quo and return power to the people”, Ubani stressed.
Contributions of diasporans
Each year, Nigerians in the diaspora send billions of dollars home. They sent $19.5 billion in 2023 alone, according to the World Bank. These remittances support families, fund education, build houses, and, in many cases, sustain local businesses. Yet, while their money shapes the economy, their voices remain absent from the ballot.
Speaking recently, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, disclosed that diaspora remittances have surpassed $90 billion in the past five years. She noted that in December 2024 alone, remittances amounted to no less than N60 billion, noting that there is potential for further growth in the future, highlighting the diaspora’s significant role in Nigeria’s development.
She said there is no better time to give Nigerians in diaspora the opportunity to vote than now.
“The diaspora is a powerful force, and we cannot ignore them,” Dabiri-Erewa told the National Assembly Joint Committee on Diaspora recently.
Speaking recently, a group, Nigeria Diaspora Coalition for Change, called for the immediate passage of legislation on diaspora voting, with concrete timelines before the 2027 general elections.
The call was made by Labode Obanor, the Coalition’s board member, strategy and implementation lead.
Obanor said that even as Nigerians abroad send over $20 billion annually to buoy Nigeria’s economy, they are still being treated as citizens without a voice.
Diaspora voting meets stiff resistance
Critics say Nigeria’s democracy is not yet ripe for independence candidacy and diaspora voting, noting that the bills can wait for now.
They explain that the challenges that have trailed the conduct of elections in the country in recent years have made diaspora voting and independent candidacy practically impossible.
Despite passing the second reading at the House, Victor Umeh, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora, is not keen on both diaspora voting and independent candidacy.
Umeh argued recently that Nigeria should fix its electoral challenges before incorporating votes from outside its shores.
“We need to know where they are so that the data will be reliable before you expose them to elections,” Umeh said.
Independent candidacy: Breaking party monopoly
Political analysts say that while diaspora voting seeks to bring voices from abroad into the political process, the push for independent candidacy challenges the dominance of Nigeria’s political parties at home.
Currently, the law mandates that candidates seeking elective office must be sponsored by registered political parties. This has led to what some call ‘party capture,’ where internal democracy is eroded, and credible candidates are muscled out by godfathers and moneybags
“The argument is simple: Give Nigerians more choices, not just party-sponsored candidates,” said Ubong Eno, a lawyer and activist.
Opponents, however, caution that independent candidates could fragment the electoral process and complicate ballot designs. There are also concerns about the potential rise of ethnic or regional candidates with narrow agendas.
However, there are those who say that diaspora voting and independent candidacy present complex challenges and opportunities. They raise critical questions about inclusion, representation, and readiness.
“Are Nigeria’s electoral institutions mature enough to handle these expansions? Can technology bridge the logistical gaps? Will these reforms strengthen democracy or sow further confusion? These are critical questions we must answer before making the move”, Kunle Okunade, political analyst, told BusinessDay.
Speaking recently on the push for independent candidacy, Tope Fasua, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, said the independent candidacy agitation is another idea pushed by those who don’t want to get involved in the nitty-gritty of the nation’s politics.
“And they are being naïve? At best, as it happened in Kenya, you may be able to elect a couple of councillors if state governors actually allow voting at that level.
“When the stakes get higher, you will find how difficult the task of winning an election is through the independent route,” Fasua said.
Progressive shift
However, Hammed Muritala, a development practitioner, said: “The proposed amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, particularly the provisions for independent candidacy and diaspora voting, are commendable and long overdue. This indicates a progressive shift toward deepening our democracy and expanding political inclusion.
“Allowing independent candidacy will open up the political space, especially for credible individuals who may not want to be associated with any of our political parties or who can’t afford the exorbitant fees these parties charge for their Intent and Nomination forms.”
As to whether these reforms will work, Muritala stated that it largely depends on the commitment and capacity of our electoral body (INEC) to implement them with transparency, integrity, and fairness.
Similarly, Temitope Musowo, a public policy analyst, said that independent candidacy is the right step as it will improve Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process. He noted that the best aspirants don’t get the ticket of the popular political parties, which usually go to the highest bidder.
According to him, “Party primaries are highly monetised and if you don’t have the financial muscle to bribe delegates, you can never emerge as the candidate of the party. What about the imposition of candidates by political godfathers? Just imagine there was something like an independent candidacy in 2019. Akinwumi Ambode, former governor of Lagos State, would have returned as Lagos governor or former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo contesting as an independent candidate in 2023. The story would have been different.”
Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, professor of political science, told BusinessDay that the immediate task before Nigeria is to focus on reforming the electoral system to make the votes of Nigerians count.
Odion-Akhaine, a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), said there is no need to amend the constitution to allow Nigerians in diaspora to vote when the current electoral system is filled with loopholes that affected the credibility of recent elections. (BusinessDay)
