Some Nigerians who reside in China have sent message home for prompt evacuation in fear of the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country. Reacting to their request on the floor of the lower chamber, House of Representatives on Monday turned down the motion calling for the evacuation of Nigerians in Wuhan, China.
The motion, which was moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Benjamin Kalu, followed outcry about the spread of Coronavirus, which broke out last week in the Chinese city.
Nigerians in the city had sent an SOS that they wanted to return home.
Kalu had sought the permission of the House to move a motion of urgent public importance on the need to evacuate Nigerians from the city.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila gave Kalu the chance to move the motion, but other lawmakers opposed it.
About 40 co-sponsors of the motion sought to withdraw it but the Speaker said it was only the main sponsor that could do so.
Gbajabiamila urged other lawmakers to allow the motion to be moved, but they refused, saying China had better facilities than Nigeria to tame the spread of the virus.
The lawmakers said it was better Nigerians in the Chinese city were allowed to remain there than to bring them home.
The Speaker said it was out of place to leave Nigerians in China.
He urged his colleagues to listen to the motion first and reject, if the situation warranted so, after the debate.