Few days after the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa accused the National Assembly of responsible for non-participation of Nigerians in Diaspora in elections in the country, the Senate has confirmed her nomination as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission.
Her confirmation was made on Thursday, following the consideration of the report by Senator Rose Okoji Oko, from Cross River North.
While speaking at the Diaspora Leadership Conference, organised by the Nigerian Consulate in New York, United States of America, Dabiri-Erewa had stated that the country is ready, but Nigerian lawmakers have continued to stall the approval because they are afraid it would not be favourable to them.
“We all have to make it happen. It is going to be tough and I tell you in politics, lawmakers are not too comfortable with the idea. I don’t know why.
“But we have to make it happen. If Ghana and Sierra Leone, smaller countries are doing Diaspora voting, why can’t we?
“INEC has said they are ready. President Muhammadu Buhari told you when he met you that he is ready. The only people we have to beg to make that happen is the National Assembly.”
Speaking after confirming her nomination, Senate President Bukola Saraki described Dabiri-Erewa’s appointment as one that was well deserved.
He thanked the Senate Committee for its effort in ensuring that the process of the confirmation was concluded on time.
“On behalf of the 8th Senate, let me congratulate Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa on this appointment which is well deserved,” Saraki said.
