Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Wase says the House would not be distracted by mischief makers as it remains focused on delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Mr Wase came under heavy criticism when he rejected a petition by the Mutual Union of Tub in America (MUTA) while he presided over the House sitting on March 1. The diasporan Nigerians had raised a petition concerning the killing of their kinsmen by herdsmen in Benue.

While receiving a delegation of Plateau elders at his office on Thursday in Abuja, Mr Wase said that the Constitution and the Rules of the House would be protected under the watch of the 9th assembly.

The elders had pledged their support for the deputy speaker following his position on the controversial petition by MUTA.

The controversial deputy speaker had rejected the petition on the excuse that Nigerians in the diaspora could not “sit in their comfort zones” and be raising petitions on happenings in the country.

He said that the house would remain guided by its rules and would not do anything outside the provisions of the law.

“We will not be distracted, we shall remain focused, we shall not throw away; we all remain one because we are guided by our rules.

“Those following the matter heard when the Speaker was asking the sponsor of the petition whether the identity of those who sent the petition have now been signed and he confirmed that they have signed.

“We will not join issues with anybody, we will not be distracted but remain focused on what God has given us to do for Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Wase said that the petition was not the first to be stepped down on the floor of the house citing several examples based on the rules.

He blamed “mischief makers” for  “sending wrong information” to the public that generated the outrage. 

Notwithstanding Mr Wase’s claim, his exchange with Rep. Mark Gbillah, who attempted to present the petition on March 1 was recorded in full glare and could not be said to be miscommunicated.

House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has since overruled Mr. Wase, receiving the petition from Mr Gbillah on Tuesday. 

(NAN)