It was a rowdy session at the House of Representatives today
after a bill seeking to provide immunity for the leadership of the National
Assembly while in office, was introduced. The bill which is being sponsored by
Leo Ogor, the minority leader of the house, is proposing an amendment to
section 308 of the Nigerian constitution to allow the national assembly
leadership enjoy immunity while in office. Presenting the bill to members of
the house, Ogor said;
"The amendment is straight forward but it needs some
clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the national assembly. The
leadership should be protected in the period they are in office.”
His opinion was immediately countered by the majority leader
of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, who argued that since the Senate was presently
having some issues, discussing a bill on immunity clause for National Assembly
members is ill timed.
“We must feel the pulse of the people. There is something
about timing, timing in any piece of legislation is important. There are issues
in the senate and I pray it’s resolved.”he said
At this point the house became rowdy. After calm was
restored, the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, said the bill would be sent
to the special committee on constitutional review for proper scrutiny. He
however passed the bill for second reading.
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