Diasporans sue Buhari, INEC to let them vote in 2023
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Diaspora Nigerians, who are passionate for change in their country as those at home, have taken their agitation to court seeking an order compelling Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow them vote.
Nigerians living in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to enforce their fundamental rights to vote in the 2023 general election, seen as a make or break for the country.
The suit marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/2119/2022 urged the court to stop Buhari and INEC from further proceeding with the 2023 election until INEC voter register and biodata base are updated to accommodate them as registered voters.
The plaintiffs are Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Nkemnacho, both residents of the UK, but they instituted the suit on behalf of other Nigerians in the diaspora, The PUNCH reports.
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Reliefs being sought
The suit was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by Augustine Temfeh-Nkemnacho.
It
- Asked the court to declare they are entitled to participate in the electoral process by being registered to vote in 2023 and in all elections wherever they are domiciled worldwide in line with Sections 13, 14, 42 and 17 of the Constitution.
- Sought declaration there is still sufficient time for INEC to comply with Sections 13, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
- Canvassed that unless they are allowed to vote in the 2023 election and subsequent ones, their fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution would be grossly violated.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed 19 January 2023 for the mention of the suit and to allow the defendants file their responses.
The four defendants are INEC, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Buhari, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
