A bill to modify the Constitution and enable voting from the Diaspora passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, yesterday.
The House also approved, for a second reading, a bill to ensure adequate funding for mineral resources exploration and extraction through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Co-sponsored by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, and Sodeeq Abdullahi, the voting bill aims to revise the 2022 Electoral Act and create voting opportunities for Nigerians living abroad without the rigours of travelling home to exercise their voting rights.
After it was passed for a second reading in July, the bill was referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action. It was, however, referred to the Constitution Amendment Committee for further legislative action, yesterday.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill on July 9, Abdullahi argued that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) granted citizens the fundamental right of freedom of expression and opinion.
“All citizens, therefore, irrespective of their location anywhere in the globe, should be given that right and freedom to express themselves in our country’s general election,” he said.
Abbas had explained that since Nigerians abroad meet their financial obligations to the country through remittances, it is fair and proper that they were given the right to carry out their civic responsibility of expressing their leadership preferences during elections.
LEADING the debate on the mineral bill’s general principles, the sponsor, Lanre Okunola (Surulere II Federal Constituency, Lagos State), described the proposed legislation as a transformative framework aimed at advancing Nigeria’s mining sector through improved funding, strategic public-private collaboration and adherence to international best practices in mineral exploration and extraction.
Okunola stated, “The bill aims to ensure that our mining sector reaches its full potential, creating jobs, fostering economic growth and enhancing Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in mineral resources.”
Explaining the objectives, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker said, “When passed, this bill will establish a mining PPP programme to integrate private sector capital, expertise and efficiency into Nigeria’s mineral resource industry.”
The bill outlines measures for leveraging global expertise and diplomatic relationships to attract investors capable of maximising mineral exploration and extraction across the country.
