Diplomatic passport: Senators, Reps still on eligibility list

DESPITE the row over moves to review
issuance of diplomatic passports by the Nigeria
Immigration Service (NIS), there were
indications yesterday that senators and
members of the House of Representatives are
still on the eligibility list.
The Presidency, however, alleged that the
House of Representatives actually initiated the
process to review issuance of diplomatic
passports in 2012 because of abuse by some
Nigerians.
Also, the NIS through its Public Relations
Officer, Chukwuemeka Obua (CSI) yesterday
said the Immigration Service was yet to receive
directive from the Federal Government to
review the guidelines for diplomatic passports.
Members of the National Assembly are still on
eligibility list, it was learnt.
A source in Immigration Service said: “We have
not tampered with eligibility list at all. By our
records, members of the National Assembly
are still on the list of beneficiaries of
diplomatic passports.
“We have had cases of abuse but they had
nothing to do with Assembly members.
“We need to clarify this because we do not
want a crisis between the Executive and the
Judiciary.”
A source in the presidency, who spoke with
our correspondent, said it was the House of
Representatives which initiated the review of
the process of issuing diplomatic passports in
2012.
The source added: “In 2012, the House
Committee on Interior organised a public
hearing on a bill seeking to amend Passport
(Miscellaneous Provision) Act Cap. P1 Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“The lawmakers wanted the list of diplomatic
Passport holders to be scaled down. The
legislators also demanded a reduction of the
discretionary powers of the President to issue
diplomatic passports to any Nigerian.
“Actually at the hearing, the Chairman, House
Committee on Interior, Bature Umar said some
holders of diplomatic passports had abused the
privilege. He said there was need to review the
process of its acquisition.
Bitrus Kaze (PDP Plateau), who also spoke at
the hearing, said “the amendment is just to
situate those suitable.”
“So, where is the fault of the presidency? Why
are they now crying over what they initiated?
All those who participated at the hearing are
alive. Nigerians should speak with them.”
The Nigeria Immigration Service, through Obua
(CSI) yesterday said it was yet to receive
directive from the Federal Government to
review the guidelines for diplomatic passports
The statement said: “For the avoidance of
doubt, the NIS wishes to categorically sate that
extant guidelines on the issuance of such
travel documents have not been changed and
are firmly in place.
“No instruction has been received to review
the guidelines to target any segment or
category of Nigerians. Members of the
National Assembly are being issued Diplomatic
passports upon application.
“The NIS hereby urges all to endeavour to cross
check very sensitive matters such as this
before rushing to press to avoid heating up the
polity and causing unnecessary disaffection.
“We are committed to acting professionally in
the performance of our statutory duties under
the guidance of relevant laws and guidelines.”