Controversy over rejected Diaspora petition, Dabiri-Erewa appeals for calm

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has appealed to all stakeholders, especially Nigerians living abroad to remain calm as the controversial issue of the presentation of a petition by Hon Mark Gbillah from Benue State on behalf of Mzough U Tiv Amerika (MUTA) which was rejected by the Deputy Speaker, Idris Ahmed, who presided over the day’s plenary session would be resolved.

In a statement issued in Abuja, on Wednesday, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa said that the Commission had intimated the Speaker of the house , Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon Tolu Akande Shadipe, of the numerous petitions and concerns of Nigerians abroad on the issue.

She expressed optimism that the leadership of the House of Representatives would resolve the issue amicably, adding that the role and contributions of the Nigerians in the Diaspora was most appreciated and could never be ignored.

A video of the plenary session of the House, wherein the Deputy Speaker of the house, Ahmed Idris Wase presiding, turned down a presentation of a petition by Mark Gbillah, PDP, representing Gwer East-Gwer West constituency of Benue State filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika on insecurity in Benue went viral few days ago with people from all quarters criticising the action of the Deputy Speaker.

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But Dabiri-Erewa in a letter to speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday, and copied to the House Committee Chairman on Diaspora, said the commission received complaints from Nigerians in the Diaspora, expressing their anger over the stand of the Deputy Speaker when the matter was presented at the house.

“The video has inflamed tension and caused a significant uproar amongst the Nigerian in Diaspora community.

“In view of this, we appeal to Mr speaker to intervene and use your good offices to do all that can be done to mitigate the effect of this unfortunate incidence,” the letter read in part.