Press Release
OVER THE DEROGATORY STATEMENT ON NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER,
HON. AHMED IDRIS WASE
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Honourable Speaker,
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, is representing Plateau State in the House of
Representatives. We the indiginous people of Plateau State resident in America under the registered name
of PSA watch in shock as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives dismissed a petition that
was being presented on behalf of other diasporans.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, standing in for the Rt. Honourable Speaker during a plenary
session in the Green Chamber of the House of Representatives, refused to accept a petition being
presented by one Hon. Mark Gilbah at the instance of ‘Mutual Unions of Tiv in America’, a social
organization of Nigerian Tiv ethnic group living in the USA. Hon. Ahmed Wase openly commented on how
Nigerians abroad do not know what is happening in Nigeria and cannot make any comments on policies in
Nigeria. He displayed total ignorance of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
that allows for dual citizenship, with rights and privileges of the Diaspora to call to the attention of the
Federal Government on issues of common concerns. He vilified all Nigerians in Diaspora and put to doubt
our citizenship, privileges and rights as Nigerians.
The whole Diaspora community is still in total shock that this particular video could emanate from the Green
Chamber where the Rt. Honourable Speaker presides. The Rt. Honourable Speaker himself is a returnee
Diaspora and that issues concerning the Diaspora are always close to his heart.
Nigerian Diaspora have given $23 billion USD yearly remittances (according to the World Bank records),
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), medical missions, community development programs and professional
skills transfer, amongst others, that Nigerians in Diaspora, routinely brings into the economy of Nigeria
should also be seen as unwelcoming distractions and undesirable!
● The Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase must provide a full retraction
● An apologies to all Diaspora
● Hon. Mark Gilbah be allowed to present the motion for and on behalf of Mutual Unions of Tiv in
America’ as a concerned group of Nigerians in Diaspora;
Plateau State Association – USA
National Executive
CC: Governor of the Plateau State; Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs; Chairman, House Committee on
Diaspora affairs; Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission; Platea
Nasarawa Reporters 