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A BILL TO ESTABLISH A VOTE FOR PRESIDENCY FOR NIGERIANS IN NORTH AMERICA AND DIASPORA, ALONG WITH THREE SENATORIAL SEATS, NINE SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR NIGERIANS IN NORTH AMERICA and DIASPORA

By Dr. Bright Aregs, ANAC Delegate California, Prof. Martin Okafor, Delegate ANAC Delegate Georgia, Okey Mbonu Esq, ANAC Delegate Maryland and Peter Agho M.D., ANAC Delegate New York

Nigeria is an emerging democracy in West Africa and no doubt the world is watching the progress the country is making towards its bid to establish a viable and self sustaining democratic system that will stand the test of time, module and rank at all level the ideal western system of democracy in a most diverse and culturally complex Nigeria federal system with multiple and equally accepted orthodox and traditional religions within its components. In recent times the government of Nigeria has loudly articulated its firm stands on economic, social and political reforms featuring a powerful drive to eliminate corruption and establish a functional system of transparency in the government and the nation at large. In February of 2005 Nigerians and Nigerian professionals in the United States of America, Canada and else where were called to participate in Nigeria political reform Conference. This action in addition to continuous and consistent appeals to all Nigerians in Diaspora to return and participate in Nigeria political affairs by President Olusegun Obasanjo since he came to power in 1999 are by all standards clearly constitute an open arms in anticipation for all Nigerians participation in governance of the country In acknowledging the national's bids to succeed therefore, it is necessary that all hands show on deck to assist in making these monumental tasks from African standpoint a reality within a reasonable period of time. Affirmatively it is the responsibilities of Nigerians in North America particularly the United States of America and Canada to stand and respond to the call of their country to assist by contributing to the national drive to succeed, using the exposures, knowledge and experiences they have accumulated over the years from the countries of their pilgrimage, the United State of American and Canada. It will be much difficult with abridged probable for any nation so drained of its essential talents, talents that are required for economic, political, technological and general nation building, like Nigeria to fulfill the current vision of the present government of Nigeria It may be interesting to know that most Nigerians that went abroad before the national's independence and indeed up till the 1970s usually do so purposely to educate themselves. These Nigerians more often than not, returned home to help in Nation building. However, things have changed since then and Nigerians have increasingly chosen to remain abroad even while participating in the economy at home. Their economic input plays a major role in sustaining their brethren back in Nigeria. It is only fitting that they participate in the democratic and legislative activities even while they may reside outside the physical confines of the country In order to sustain the rendering of these services in support of the national's bid to succeed in establishing a self sustaining democratic system of government in an environment that is yet practically non-conducive and envisioned such with hope to endure the test of time, an avenue and or platform must be established to foster these resolved possibilities, in face of all difficulties and ultra rejections as it is with any introduced change especially in a culturally diverse society like ours. The first step in essence therefore, must be bold and courageous, the vision must have no limit and the focus must be definite. Nigeria has all the recourses (Human and material) it needs to excel to any height as a nation. However some major and vital part of these recourses resides outside Nigeria, hence the call now. This bill therefore is presented to the Nigeria Government to provide the platform necessary for nation building as envisioned by the Government of Nigeria in step with similar and successful system in France and Asia. Article One Nigeria human and economic resources must be annexed and utilized towards the fulfillment of the Nigeria National Vision (NNV). Acknowledging the estimated four million Nigerians in the North America alone, with economic capabilities in excess of approximately $350 billion in annual income ($4000000 x $75,000 on the average). With tested knowledge, proficiency and accreditation in Medicine, Engineering, Politics, Science and Technology. Four million and more Nigerians in North America (United State, Canada and other parts) is a human count that some states in Nigeria are yet to attain and cognizing the fact that this is a collective body of Nigeria citizens residing in a single area, practically reachable and disposed to offer the services articulated in this Bill. This mass body of professionals and intellectuals is willing and ready to render its services to the fulfillment of focused Nigerian National Goals. This is a jewel force of wherewithal that will not be beneficial to the nation if remains unexploited ignored or overlooked by the well meaning institutional policies of Nigerian government. Article Two A continuous and permanent platform established to provide for a vote for the Presidency of Nigeria by Nigerians living in North America and the diaspora, along with  three Senatorial Seats assigned to Nigerians in North America (United State of America, Canada and other parts) and Diaspora. At this level, Nigeria will gradually attract in a methodological retrieval system of political talents that are currently serving with appreciation their country of pilgrimage. In a joined effort with our illustrious brothers and sisters currently serving at this level in Nigeria, success in attaining the country's vision will be inevitably easy, within schedule and collaboratively able to set new goals for the nation with yet clearer vision. We Nigerians in North America believe that a national's success rests in the drive of its citizens wiliness to live together, learn together, work together, and forge new ideas that bind together. It is our resolved readiness to let our inclusive diversity work for us, by generating and accepting different working ideas in all areas of our national community. We must together work hard to move our nation forward and place her in her rightful position in the continent and in world at large. Article Three A continuous and permanent platform established to provide six seats in the Federal House of Representative for Nigerians in North American (United States of America, Canada and other parts). With this and at all levels, Nigerians in North American and Diaspora will be inclusively involved in scrupulous directional services for sustaining Nigerian public policy affairs. Nigeria can no longer be seen as able and yet disfranchise its own tested and enabled capability components to the detriment of its own drive to provide the people of Nigeria with security freedom and liberty to thrive and function anywhere in country as they desire. Article Four Why must these nine seats be necessary and for Nigeria indigenes residing in North America and Diaspora? Nigeria is forty-five years old in her independence and her successive civilian governments have been difficult, most of her talents during her trial periods deliberately exodus to friendly continents for safety and in pursuant of basic life necessities. The bright and star gazing youths that were given scholarship to study overseas and those that left the country to further their education in advanced countries, on self and or family sponsorship find no conducive environment to returned at end of their studies, hence were quickly absorbed into those continents (European and American continents). Those youths are now grown, matured and capable of caring for themselves with much less vulnerability as youths. Most of them have made marks in their new found countries and they are now in position capable of contributing valuably to any success driven nation. Therefore this bill is asking that the communities where these able men and women particularly those residing in North America, numbering more than four million be recognized as Nigerian district in Diaspora by the government of Nigeria and establish nine competing congressional seats in the Nigerian National House of Assembly, where they can effectively contribute to Nigerian Nation building with their ingenuity Article Five What benefit will the demand of this bill provide to Nigeria and its reforms? For Nigeria to achieve the goals of its reform policies without exhaustion and sustain these results, Nigeria must use a tested and successful system. The system that this bill is proposing is being in use successfully in France and Asia. The French government in its ingenuity realized that the country could be more successful by adopting inclusive policy, a system that sets aside competing seats in the French parliament for French citizens in Diaspora, and votes to elect candidates to these seats are normally conducted in places like French Embassies in Diaspora, this we can simulate and improve for Nigeria.