The house of representatives has asked the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF) not to be misled by the “biased position” of Aminu
Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, over the bill to control infectious diseases.
The green chamber said the governors’ demand that the bill
should be suspended was informed by Tambuwal’s “personal and partisan
opposition” to the emergence of the current house leadership under Femi
Gbajabiamila.
The bill, which among other things prescribes compulsory
vaccination of every child in Nigeria against some infectious diseases, has
sparked public outcry over possible human rights violation.
On Wednesday, the governors’ forum had said Tambuwal, its
vice chairman and former speaker of the house, briefed them about the bill
during their virtual meeting after which they asked that it be suspended to
enable more consultation.
But in a statement issued by Benjamin Kalu, the house
spokesman, the lawmakers said while they will welcome any contribution the
governors have regarding the bill, the constitution does not demand that
they must concur with such legislation.
“It is rather surprising that the NGF, in arriving at its
decision, relied on “an update from the Governor of Sokoto State,” who, apart
from being a lawyer, is a former Speaker and an ex-ranking member of the House,
who should know better and guide the Forum accordingly,” Kalu said in the
statement issued on Thursday.
“We assume that his position was informed by his well-known
personal and partisan opposition to the emergence of the current leadership of
the house considering his obvious stance in 2015 and 2019 .
“Unlike in a constitution amendment matter, where state
houses of assembly have a defined constitutional role to play in effecting any
review to it, Bills such as the Control of Infectious Diseases are not by our
constitution subject of concurrence of state houses of assembly or state
governors. We do believe that our respected Governors are aware of this lawful
processes of legislation and should not be misguided by a biased position of a
former speaker .
“Notwithstanding, the House expresses its readiness to work
with the Committee raised by the NGF to meet members of the Green Chamber on
the Bill. The Governors are our critical stakeholders in nation building, and
we understand the importance of working with our Governors at critical moments
such as this pandemic period.”
The green chamber invited the governors’ forum to make its
position on the bill known through a memorandum during the planned public
hearing as “no single Governor has called the Speaker or anyone in leadership
to express his views till date.”
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