Reps Committee Apologizes To Nigerians In Diaspora Over Blocked Petition

The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs has apologized to Nigerians over the blocking of a petition written by some Nigerians based in the United States of America by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, last week.

The committee apologized through its chairman, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State, in a statement received by All New Nigeria on Wednesday, March 17.

Akande-Sadipe disclosed that the committee has received the petition and has commenced an investigation into the matter.

The Lawmaker added that the House would continue to value and prioritize the needs and quests of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

The statement read in part, “Your numerous petitions and messages have been well received by me, compiled and is being investigated by the Leadership of the House and the Diaspora Committee.  

“This issue is of utmost importance to the House of Representatives and it will be resolved in a matter of days.”

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Last week Wednesday, a lawmaker representing Gwer-East /Gwer-West Federal Constituency of Benue State in the House of Representatives, Gbillah, who represents Gwer-East/Gwer-West Federal Constituency in Benue State, moved to lay the petition by MUTA.

But a drama ensued in the process as Wase, who was presiding over the session prevented the laying of the petition, adding that the Green Chamber does not entertain petition outside Nigeria. He asked the Benue Lawmaker if MUTA was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

NIDO in the last petition signed by its leaders across the continents of the world, said Wase’s “unfortunate statement has “helped to cast doubt in the minds of the Diaspora community as to the genuineness of the Federal Government’s intentions towards its Diaspora.”

The petition was dated March 14, 2021 and titled, ‘Letter of protest over the uncharitable and derogatory statement on Nigerians in Diaspora by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase.’

The petition was signed by Dr. Bashir Obasekola for Nigerians in Diaspora, Europe; Obed Monago for Nigerians in Diaspora, Americas: Prof. E. C. Ejiogu for Nigerians in Diaspora, Asia; Gary Linus Unamadu for Nigerians in Diaspora, Oceania; and Dr. Obinna Kingsman for Nigerians in Diaspora, Africa.

Copied in the petition are the President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, among others.