The All Progressives Congress (APC) Diaspora Chairmen Forum wants the National Assembly to clarify issues relating to inputs by Nigerians overseas during proceedings in the legislative chamber in the wake of comments made by House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase.
The body issued a communique endorsed after an emergency a virtual meeting on Monday, on the issue of rights of the diasporas to send petitions to the National Assembly.
EKO HOT BLOG gathered that Wase had earlier asserted that Nigerians living abroad cannot submit petitions over some incidents which occurred in the country. This he said following a petition brought in by Mark Terseer Gbillah, a lawmaker representing Benue Gwer East/Gwer West federal constituency.
Rep. Mark Terseer Gbillah
Rep. Gbillah, had presented a petition by the Mutual Union of the Tiv in America which bordering on resettling Tiv people displaced from their ancestral land through various attacks due to insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
The APC Diaspora chairmen said the clarification was important so that Nigerians living abroad will know their limitations on presentations to the National Assembly.
They however did say there was a need for Nigerians abroad to be heard on issues that affect them and their families in Nigeria.
“As Nigerians, there is no harm in making valid presentations to the National Assembly if and when necessary on national or any issue,” the statement read.
“Diaspora inputs in discussions should not be jettisoned on the ground that those making inputs or suggestions do not reside in Nigeria.
“The National Assembly is made up of lawmakers representing all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora and their opinions should be listened to and deliberated on.”
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