The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has said Nigerians in the Diaspora, who live comfortably over there, have no knowledge of happenings in Nigeria, therefore, they have no right to send their petitions to the House on insecurity in the country.

Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau State, said this at a plenary last Thursday while sitting in for the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Deputy Speaker moved against an attempt by Hon. Mark Gbillah, representing Gwer East-Gwer West constituency of Benue State, to submit a petition filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba.

Gbillah, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, had explained that he was submitting the petition on behalf of MUTA because indigenes of the affected states had been sacked from their ancestral lands.

Wase, who is of the ruling All Progressives Congress, interrupted, saying “Honourable Gbillah, did you say Tivs in America? What do they know about Nigeria? What is their business? They can’t sit in their comfort zones and know what is happening in Nigeria.”

The Deputy Speaker argued that Nigerians abroad have no rights to file a petition on the crisis, stating that it would be understandable “if this petition is coming from those who are within the country.”

In response, Gbillah argued that Nigerians abroad should be able to file complaints because they have family members residing in the state.

Wase quickly countered by asking if MUTA was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

But Gbillah responded by saying Section 40 of the constitution does not stop citizens from freedom of association.

Gbillah argued that Nigeria had been pursuing a policy of inclusiveness for its citizens in the Diaspora, an aim that would easily be defeated if the same category of Nigerians cannot be allowed to speak on raging matters of national concern.

“I’ll refer you to the functions of the committee on Diaspora, if you go through that, it is nothing relevant to what you’re now presenting, I’m not convinced that we have to take that petition,” Mr. Wase said.

Gbillah’s petition was subsequently rejected without any opposition from any member in the chamber.