No Referendum For CONFAB Reports -Reps

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja.

The House of Representatives has rejected the amendment of section 9 to allow for a referendum in determining the fate of the National Conference as it voted unanimously to adopt the harmonized conference report on a Bill for an Act to further alter the 1999 constitution.

Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Reps Aminu Tambuwal

The process of voting and adoption of reports almost marred the exercise following fears by some members that some clauses not proposed may have found their way into the harmonized report.

Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal had prevented members from dragging the process through points of order and asked any member with concerns to approach the chair for audience.

Upon such audience, Tambuwal explained to lawmakers, saying “the point of order that Hon. El-Sudi wanted to raise bothers on the procedure for the adoption of a harmonised conference report which doesn’t need a 2/3 majority according to our rules. It’s only when there are provisions in the report which were not individually passed by the House or the Senate during the consideration of report that would require a 2/3 for such to pass and become part of the harmonised report”.

“Hon. Hembe also wanted to raise a point of order on the issue of state creation. However, what we have has adequate mechanisms to assuage the fears and concerns of people in States who hitherto felt marginalised in the current scheme of things.”

”I understand that some of our colleagues still have concerns about this report. And I hereby rule that the House dissolves into a closed-door session for us to address such issues”, Tambuwal said.