Mark Terseer Gbillah, the lawmaker representing Benue Gwer east/Gwer west federal constituency has countered Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase’s statement after being called out for refusing to accept a petition from Nigerians abroad on insecurity.
Wase had alleged that the video which captured the exchange on the floor of the lower chamber was doctored. He also claimed to be following the rule of the house of representives which presentation of the petition contravened.
However reacting to this in an interview on Channels TV on Wednesday March 17, Gbillah who presented the petition stated that no part of the video which went viral on social media was doctored. He also alleged that the video showed that Wase had a premeditated bias against the presentation of that petition.
The Benue lawmaker also promised to re-represent the petition against the activities of herders in Benue state on the floor of the house.
He said;
“I do not have anything personal against the deputy speaker, but I do not see how his response in that press statement is tenable. No aspect of that video was doctored, his words were taken verbatim. So, it is obvious from that exchange that he appeared to have some premeditated bias against the presentation of that petition.
“Even when it has to do with dual citizenship, our constitution recognises and permits dual citizenship. There is nothing in our laws that prevents them from expressing themselves about issues concerning their country men.”
Gbillah reiterated that Nigerians in diaspora have a right to petition the house of representatives and this can’t be breached.
He added;
“It is their country, it is their parliament, they have absolutely unalienable rights to present a petition on the floor of either chamber of the assembly.”
