NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES
FOURTH ASSEMBLY
FIRST SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OFFICIAL REPORT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Tuesday, 22nd June, 1999
The House met at 10.25 a.m.
PRAYERS
(Mr. Speaker in the chair)
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I have examined and approved the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 18th June, 1999 with only one amendment. The amendment is that, the House adjourned accordingly at 1. 11 p.m and not 11. 11 a.m
OATHS
I would like to call on Members who have not taken or subscribed the Oaths to please come forward. (No respose)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Death of Barrister Ted Nwoke's Mother
Hon. Members, I regret to announce the sudden death of the mother of one of our colleagues representing Aniocha/ Oshimilli (Hon (Barr.) Ted Nwoke. She passed away in a London clinic over the weekend. Can this honourable House please rise to give a minute silence? (One minute silence observed) May her soul rest in perfect peace (Amen).
Meeting of Ad Hoc. Committee on Protection of Lives and Properties.
A meeting of the Ad-hoc Committee on Protection of Lives and Properties, in the North-East and NorthWest Zones will take place immediately after this Session in Committee Room 12, opposite Mr. Speaker's Office. This is signed by Hon. Bello Mohammed, their Chairman.
Bank Accounts
I would want to inform Members who have Bank Accounts in Banks other than Standard Trust Bank, who would want their allowances or salaries paid into those Banks, should please forward details of their Bank Accounts and addresses to the Clerk of this House so that they will effect payment to the choice Banks of the hon. Members.
Meeting of APP hon. Members
There will be a meeting of all APP hon. Members immediately after today's business of the House. Agenda of the meeting is: Deputy Leader and Deputy Whip.
Presentation of Deputy House Leader
The Leadership of People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the House has presented an hon. Member for Arochukwu/Ohafia
(Chief Ohabunwa Mr. Arike) as the Deputy House Leader of the PDP, while hon. Member for Ibarapa East/Ido (Hon. Sadiq Sanusi A) is the Deputy Chief Whip of the PDP. (Applause).
This is signed by hon. Mohammed Wakil, House Leader of the House of Representatives.
Constitution of Special / Standing Committees
Hon. Members, as you are aware, the Committee of Selection has been very busy in the past few days working on the membership of the Standing Committees of this hon. House. The Committee has almost finished its job and all the lists of membership into these 'Committees will be passed today by 4. 00 p.m. We will also distribute copies through the Party Leaderships.
The reason for the delay, as I had really wanted to announce the list personally this morning, was because of an observation we had while sorting out the forms of Members. There was so much interest in some particular Committees and that had to force the Committee to now grade, these
Standing. Committees in order of demand. The Committee has tried to be, fair and just to every hon. Member
from every section of this country and I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve on this Committee.
I have a personal announcement I want to make to hon. Members. We have six Special Committees and
37 Standing Committees. That will bring the total of both the Special- Committees and
the Standing Committees to forty-three. We will, therefore, have 43 Chairmen and 43 Deputies. This is a burden and responsibility that I have to take and I will be responsible for the actions thereof. But I must be very sincere to my hon. Members and Colleagues. This is a decision I would have given anything to avoid taking but, as I said, it is my duty and responsibility to take such decisions and I think it is in the best interest, unity and representation of this House. .
We have gone a step further to introduce sub-Committee Chairmen who will be appointed by the Chairmen the Committees so that every Member will have a sense of belonging in this hon. House. This was the promise I made before I was elected and this is the promise I intend to keep. We will have about 80 or 90
sub-Committees Chairmen who will handle the minor Components or the minor details of these Committees' operations.
What I have decided personally to do, as a measure of check and balance is that democracy, wherever it is, should be applied. I will make public, conditions that will. lead to the review of the tenure of any Chairman or Deputy Chairman so appointed. This I did so that the power of the people should belong to the people. I believe that Members of this honourable House should have the power over their Chairmen and their Deputies that will lead them in Committees; just as the power of my being privileged enough to sit here and address you as the Speaker of this honourable House lies with you the hon. Members, and just as the power of every hon. Member here lies in the people of the Constituency in which they represent. I will promote fairness at every
cost, I will promote the unity of this House and I will promote the unity of this country.
I took quite difficult decisions in arriving at this list of the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen in consultation with the Principal Officers. I have
personal friends, I have personal interests which I had to subdue in the interest of the unity of this House.. A lot of my personal friends may- not be happy but this is a duty to the nation which I took. The conditions of reviewing this position of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen I will make available by 4,00 p.m. today. .l believe Members of the. Committee in which any Chairmen or Deputy Chairmen will serve should have the power to give
him either a vote of confidence or a vote of no confidence. The interest in which that particular Chairman or Deputy Chairman represent those interest groups, if it is per State, should have the power to give him a vote of confidence or not. That is why I say I am bringing my case to you and I expect nothing from this honourable House short of support. Yes,
I have in consultation with my Principal Officers appointed Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen but, yes, you the Members have the power to review their performances. I hope we will understand this issue. I pray and hope that we will continue to work in the best interest of this country as we have been working and forget about our personal and selfish interests.
Thank you, very much. God bless you and may God bless this honourable House. (Applause).
Membership of Committee
Hon.Abdulaziz Tanko (Donna/Takum/Udssa): I have an observation to make, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: What is the observation?
Hon. Tanko: Mr Speaker, Sir, my State, Taraba State has not been made use
of Taraba State is also affected by the activities of these bandits and herdsmen but no Member from Taraba State is represented in the Committee constituted to look into this crisis. Those who were opportuned to watch the television yesterday can tell the story of what happened. Two days ago, the bandits attacked Karim Lamido and other local government areas in Taraba State, and nobody knows this place better than the Members from that State.
So, I will kindly appeal to this honourable House to co-opt one of the Members from Taraba State into the Committee.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you very much for your observation, hon. Tanko.
Need to carry tags
Hon. Members, I have an announcement to make. Members are advised to always carry their tags to the Assembly. This is to avoid embarrassment at the entrance by the Pollce.
Short Payment by Bank
Hon. (Chief) Cajethan Dike (Orlu/Orsu/Oru East): Point of Observation, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: What is the observation?
Hon. Dike: Mr. Speaker, my observation is based on the announcement by Mr. Speaker regarding the Standard Trust Bank. It has been observed by myself and other bon. Colleagues that payments made by this Banks are always short-paid either by N100.00 or N200. I want the Clerk of the National Assembly who imposed this Bank on us - (Interruption).
Several hon. Members: No.
Hon. Dike: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like this House to call this Bank to order.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you, very much, bon. Dike. Actually, I just want to announce that all Members who have alternative Banks can forward their Bank details, Bank account Numbers and addresses to the Clerk. who will now order payments to such Banks. So, nobody is imposing any Bank on anybody, please.
Thank you.
Hon. Jerry Sonny Igbokwe (Idemili North/Idemili South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, bon. Members, I want to speak on the issue of Ad-Hoc Committees that my Hon. Member for (Donga/Takum/Udssa) Hon. Tanko, has just referred to. I am glad to hear that Mr. Speaker and the Members of the Committee have finished their work and that as from 4 p.m. today, our Committee should have been properly constituted. I have always been against doing things by short gun approach, by Ad-Hoc Committees, and I am aware that one of the special committee we have is the Committee on National Security and Intelligence. I would hereby urge this House to dissolve and dismantle all Ad-Hoc Committees starting from 4.00 p.m. today so that the proper Committees can go into work.
(Applause)
Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. Committee Rooms
Mr. Speaker: Talking of Committee Rooms, based on further Committees, we have twenty-one
Committee Rooms with the capacity for thirty Members in this Complex. There are also three Committee Rooms with the capacity for fifteen Members and four hearing rooms. I think by tomorrow, we will not have forty three Committee rooms, what we will have is twenty-one, so I think that one of the things we have to do is to work out a time-table whereby we allocate these Committee Rooms to two or three Committees to be rotating for their meetings before that time.
We have office accommodation for Committee Chairmen. There are twenty-five of them allocated to Committee Chairmen located on the 3rd floor of this building, but admittedly, these are not enough. Further arrangements are being made to secure more office accommodation for all Committee Chairmen and their Deputies in the Administrative wing located north-west of this building.
I am told that the building in question is presently occupied by the Federal Civil Service Commission, and that they would vacate the premises by the end of July this year. I would want to appeal to Members to bear with us as no effort would be spared to ensure that a
conducive work environment is created for members of this House. In the interim, we might have to also allocated these offices that we have at present to two or three Committees to commence work as hitherto.
Hon. Members, we shall proceed with the business of the day, and I call on Hon. Abdullahi to speak. Identity cards for Hon. Members
Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sabon Gari): Mr. Speaker, Sir, you raised a very vital and pertinent question about Identity. This House was proclaimed on the 4th of June. Today is 22nd of June, 18 days gone so far. Some of us do not even have a name tag that allows us into this House, not to talk of identity cards, and from the way we came into this complex this morning, I know we are going to start being troubled very soon. Either something concrete is done for each and everyone of us here as temporary identity card or we all need to be given the identity that we require in order to facilitate our coming into this House, since you have given us the warning and we do not want to be embarrassed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: I have just been informed by the Clerk that Members that do not have their temporary tags can collect them from the SergeantAt-Arms because we have enough to give. Identity card forms were distributed to Members last week, so that they can fill and return them for further processing. Some have actually returned theirs, while others have not. Those Members who have not returned theirs should please do so, so that we can facilitate the production of the identity and voting cards.
Accommodation allowance for hon. Members
Allowances of Members will be ready today. Members can wait after the day's sitting and collect them. I and not sure whether they have been paid into the Banks, or they are to be paid here, but the announcement is that the allowances are ready for accommodation.
Select Committee Meeting
At this juncture, I want to excuse all Members of the Select Committee, excluding myself, to go to the conference room where we hold our meetings, so that they can finalise the compilation of the list and final typing, please. So, all Members of the Select Committee are excused.
I call on Hon. Zakari to speak, Please. Mis-representation of Information.
Hon. Zakari A. Malherbe (Buruku): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, I am not too sure whether- this is the appropriate time to bring it to the notice of this honourable House, but if I do so,, I crave the indulgence of my Colleagues. There is this issue that for the past three or four days, this honourable House has been completely mis-represented. And that is on the issue. of corruption. I ,think the press decided to give ; their own interpretation of the decision as: they deem fit. The crux of the matter is that- this House, has been quoted as having refused completely to. have anything to do. with the. anti-, corruption crusade. I do not think that, that was, what the house resolved, and if it is not, then may, humbly suggest that this House should look into the
possibility of issuing a Press Release today, not necessarily in defence of this honourable House, but to the effect that we did not, to the best of my knowledge, refuse to have anything to do with the anti-corruption crusade.
I do recall, if I am right, the resolution resolve of this House on that particular day that the issue was rather premature since it is paramount that certain facts and figures will have to be acquired before the House could deliberate on the issue.
So, Mr. Speaker, I do move, as having suggested, that the House owes a duty to the citizens of this country to let this country know the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about the decision that we took in respect of this anti-corruption crusade.
(Applause)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Esio Oguong Udon (Oron/Mbo,Okobo/Udu Nguko Urue Offiong Oriko): Mr. Speaker and Members of this distinguished House, if you look at Volume One, Number One of National Assembly Debates, page 4, it is clearly stated there that the number of Members that voted for Hon. Ibrahim Buhari, as Mr. Speaker of this House, were only one hundred and fifteen. All of you here are witnesses to the fact that well over three hundred and twenty Members voted for Hon. Ibrahim Buhari, as Mr. Speaker of this House.
May we now please call on the Secretariat of this House to order, that this paper I am holding should be rejected until it is properly documented. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you for your observation. The Official Report should please take note of this, observation and amend' it accordingly.
Thank you.
Hon. Musa Elayo (Awe/Doma): Mr. Speaker, my observation in respect of the observation made by Hon. Esio Oguong Udon is
that if you look at page four, second paragraph, there is an opening, which
says: As the voting progressed, Alhaji Abubakar Yar'Adua proceeded to discuss
with the clerk to the National Assembly after which he went to embrace Alhaji Ibrahim Buhari and withdrew from the race. With
this situation, I think that is why the counting was stopped. I think that should be enough for the purpose of the records.
Thank you, very much.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you for your observation. Honourable Members, we shall proceed with the business of the day. There are two Motions on Notice and in accordance with the practice, they will not be debated today. There are six Motions listed for consideration today but I want to draw your attention to Motion number one standing in the name of the House Leader, Hon. Mohammed Wakil.
The Motion is for the House to concur with the Senate resolution on National Assembly membership of Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Union of African Parliaments (UAP). Many benefits are derivable from the membership of these Associations.
MOTIONS
Inter-Parliamentary Organisations
How Mohammed Wakil (Damboa/Gwoza/Clnbok): Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, may I move: That in order to promote personal contact between members of Parliaments/National Assemblies the world over, and in order to foster and enhance international peace and cooperation through such contacts, this House do resolve:
(i) that the House renew its membership,of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Union of African Parliaments (U.A.P.):
(ii) that the House do pledge its support and cooperation for these organisations; and
(iii) that the House accepts to subscribe to all necessary dues/fees as may be applicable from time to time.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I do stand to move this Motion.
Thank you.
Hon. Isa Chungwon Song (Barking Ladi/Riyom): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the Motion.
Mr. Speaker: Please, do Members have comments, for or against this Motion?
Hon. Mohammed Wakil: Mr. Speaker, this Motion is a straight forward one. It is not a technical Motion. It is for the benefit of all of us here in this honourable House. Mr. Speaker had already elaborated before I moved the Motion.
In order not to waste the time of this honourable House, for the past fifteen years, we were having anti-democratic governments, but let us join these bodies today so that we could enjoy these benefits. Let us see that we benefit from these Unions, let us see that our Members attends Seminars and exchange ideas and know exactly what is happening in the world of democracy.
I think there is no need to waste the time of this honourable House. May I humbly submit again? Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, I urge our colleagues to please support this Motion.
Thank you, very much. (Applause)
Hon. Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa (Katagum): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to associate myself with this motion but I want also to tell hon. Mohammed Wakil, that this Motion is very important and there is no need for him to say that we should not waste time. We are not wasting time and anything in support of this Motion is worthwhile. So, I hope the wrong impression will not be created that the House Leader does not want this issue to be debated or that no contributions should be made.
This Motion is very straightforward as he said and it is a convention, Mr. Speaker, that every Parliament or House of Assembly of all nations should belong to these associations. Now that Nigeria has come back to the path of democracy, I think it is very much in order that we should belong
to these associations so that we can exchange views and through these associations, we can protect the course of democracy worldwide.
Thank you.
Inter-Parliamentary Organisation
Hon. Babatunde Olokun (Ikene/Remo/North Sagamu): I rise to support the last speaker of this Motion. I believe that the Citizens of this country have been deprived for so many years now of true democracy and partaking in the fruits of the labours of democracy internationally. I believe strongly that this is a Motion to which all Members should give a firm support. And in saying this, I would like this honourable House to go straight without further delay or argument or unnecessary waste of our time to adopt the principles of this Motion. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Any comments against this Motion? I will, therefore, put the Question.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved: That in order to promote personal contact between members of Parliaments/National Assemblies the world over, and that in order to foster and enhance international peace and cooperation through such contacts, this House do resolve:
(i) that the House renew its membership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Union of African Parliament (UPA).
(ii) that the House do pledge its support and cooperation for the needs - of these organisations; and
(iii). that the House accepts to subscribe to all necessary dues/fees as may be applicable from time to time.
Mr. Speaker: I will now call on hon. Lar R. Victor to speak on, the Warri crisis.
Warri Crisis
Hon. Lar R. Victor (Langtang North-South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members of the House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I rise to move the Motion that:
Whereas an Ad hoc Committee has been constituted on the Warri Crisis, it is, therefore, now expedient that the House be more sensitive and responsive to-the plights of the citizens of that area by making individual/personal . contributions to the victims as a mark of the House's
concern for humanity.
Thank you.
Hon. Abdullahi ldris Umar (Yamaltu/Deba): I have an observation to make.
Mr. Speaker: What is your observation?
Hon. Ahdullahi Idris Umar: Mr. Speaker, distinguished honourable Colleagues, I wish to observe and indeed to oppose this Motion without even allowing it to be seconded or otherwise.
Mr. Speaker: I have just been called to order. The Motion has to be seconded first. Thank you. Any Seconder of the Motion?
Hon. Prince Peter Igbodor (Ogoja/Yala): I beg to second the Motion.
Hon. Abdullahi Idris Umar: Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, my objection to this Motion is in two forms. The first is on the competence of the Motion itself. Secondly is the merit of the Motion. Distinguished Colleagues, as evident from the Motion paper, an Ad-hoc Committee has been set up by this august House on the Warri Crisis. The Committee is under the able leadership of the Deputy Speaker of the House with members of his eminence serving on that Committee. The Committee has, as its Terms of Reference: looking into the possibility of ways to assist the victims of the Warri Crises. The Committee, with respect is
yet to submit its report to this august House. This august House has the right eventually upon the receipt of the report of the Committee to either accept in toto, or reject the report in toto, or accept it in parts or with amendments and modification as the case may be. Now, a Motion is
brought on the same Warri Crisis primarily to preempt the report of that Committee. I think that is going to be a
disservice to this House. We are going to overrule ourselves if we allow this Motion to scale through. We should allow the Committee to first submit its report and then we consider it. If it is deficient, if it is lacking, we can throw it out or we can receive it in parts. When the Committee has not submitted its report, I submit with respect that this House should not delve into the issue.
In addition Mr. Speaker, honourable Colleagues, the Rules of this House provides in Rule 51(6) that while the House takes a decision on a matter which
I submit with respect we have done, we have set up an Ad-hoc Committee, we have passed a resolution on the Warri Crises, if such a decision is said to be rescinded or if an issue is said to be introduced relating to the decision taken by this House, a substantive Motion has to be brought for the rescission of the earlier resolution to the extent that there is no application seeking to rescind our earlier decision.
This Motion is incompetent, it must be discountenanced and struck out by this House.
(Applause)
Now to the merit of the Motion itself, distinguished Colleagues, this is our early stage of our existence in this House. Whatever decisions, whatever resolutions we pass are going to be precedent and are going to be binding on us. There are so many crises spread all over the country: Warri Crisis, Kafanchan Chieftaincy Crisis, there are victims in the North-East and North-West subregions of this country. If we adopt and pass a resolution binding ourselves to make personal donation to Warri, I bet you, we shall be convicted by the tribunals of our conscience if we refuse to render the same aids to the victims of Kafanchan, to the victims of the North-West and North-East.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, it is for these reasons that I urge this honourable House to dis-countenance this Motion and please call a spade a spade.
Thank you, I am done. (Applause)
Hon. Ibrahim Sailani (Toro): Mr. Speaker, Sir, my hon. Colleagues, I think we are over-flogging this
issue. The last speaker has said it all. There are various crises through which many people have been displaced in Nigeria. We have the Aguleri/Umuleri crisis in Anambra State; we have the Kafanchan crisis in Kaduna State; we have the Warri crisis in Delta State and we have the most recent crisis in Jalingo where over 100 people were killed at a time. I think we should be unanimous in rejecting this Motion and taking it throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Hon. (Alhaji) Bashiru Adamu Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Colleagues, in opposing this Motion, I think while discussing the Motion that was previously adopted on the issue of Warri Crisis, it was very clear as there was a demand that the government should provide humanitarian aids to the victims of the crisis.
My own belief is that if we should consider this Motion, we are setting a precedent that we should give our personal aids to all warring crises or
crisis torn areas in this country and I think that is not sustainable.
Secondly, with or without the Motion in question, a lot of our Members here, before coming to this hon. House, are philantrophic enough and have been contributing their cause to their various communities. So, I believe some Members by now would have even contributed to the cause of those involved in the Warri crisis. I think with or without this Motion, contributions can still be made without so much noise and I believe we are philantrophic enough to contribute to the. cause of all Nigerian.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: I will put the question now.
Hon. Lar R. Victor (Langtang North/South): - I have an observation, Mr. Speaker.
I want to observe that after having moved the Motion, I thought, inspite of the strong
objections expressed by Members, I should have been conceded at least, the chance to give the merits of my Motion: But I was not even allowed to explain
exactly what I meant by the Motion and the whole House was Drawn into discussions against the Motion. I think Parliamentary decorum dictates that Mr. Speaker and other Members should, at least, concede to me the right to explain myself before a unanimous decision for or against the Motion is taken.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: The hon. Member for Langtang North/South, (Hon. Lar R. Victor) I now give you chance to explain the merits of your Motion.
Hon. Lar R. Victor (Langtang North/South): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, fellow hon. Members of this House, I want to say with all sense of humility that the intent-and purpose of this Motion is not to cause the House to overrule itself.
If I recall with some degree of precision, when the Motion on the Warri crisis was tabled before this honourable House, the decisions taken were that an ad-hoe Committee be set up; that government should provide humanitarian aids to the victims; and that the committee should explore ways and means of resolving the crisis. On the strength of that, Mr. Speaker, I felt this honourable House, well constituted by men of integrity and honour, men who are filled with milk of. human kindness and who were elected mostly by their constituents for their humanitarian disposition, could go an extra mile in not just sitting dawn in this Chambers to call on the government but to demonstrate the era of anticorruption crusade which mandatorily dictates that we live by example.
So, I thought, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that this hon. House could go the extra mile by not only sitting down to explore , ways but making personal humanitarian contributions. Having been experienced in the act of crisis resolution, I know that when you. visit a victim of any crisis of the magnitude of the Warri crisis, the first thing that is uppermost to him is survival and the amelioration of his suffering, vis-a-vis the provision of food and shelter. So, I felt that if this hon. House should take a step forward any delegation that would go from here, maybe, with a truck load of bags of rice or sleeping mats or even blankets would.make a point
and would appeal more to the conscience of the people than for us to sit here, take reports and make declarations. On this note, Mr. Speaker, I was moved to press that the bon. House consider making humanitarian contributions.
As for the issue of other crises so much enumerated by my Colleagues, it was not the intention of this Motion to give undue prominence to the Warri crisis in disregard of the other incidences enumerated. We all recall that, the Warri crisis Motion came up long before all these other Motions and if you look at the time this Motion was placed on Notice, it came immediately after the resolution was taken. So, Mr. Speaker, the intention is not to under-play the seriousness of other crises; the intention is not even to cause the House to overrule itself, it is to get this House to take a decision that will instil public confidence and demonstrate our commitment and sincerity to human suffering.
Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. (Applause)
Hon. (Dr) Jerry Sonny Ugokwe (Idemili North/South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to make first an observation that I think that this House is grossly disrespected. Each time we are in this House trying to deliberate and discuss on issues that are very pertinent to this country, we find people advertising their businesses by distributing handbills in this House. I do think that this is not the proper place to distribute this kind of advertisement. This should be reserved to when we get out of the Chambers.
The other issue, Sir, on the Warri crisis, I think if we sit down here discussing this issues and we end up saying that we throw out this Motion, it is going to go like the issue of corruption which after we took a decision here actually to suspend, that Motion, it went out in the Newspapers that a number of prominent Nigerians were quoted as saying that this House is not ready to help the President fight corruption. In order to avoid that, I would plead with this hon. House to suspend this Motion; refer it today at 4.00 p.m. to the Crisis Resolution Committee so that maybe, by tomorrow if they think that this is what should come to this hon. House, they will bring it back to this House.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Adams Jagabo (Kachia/Kagarko): I rise up to say that this motion should be, for now, suspended until the Ad-hoc Committee submits its report.
If we take any decision on this and that Warri. crisis now, we are really putting the cart before the horse. I want to call the attention of the honourable House to the fact that we have a lot of items ahead of us, there are many more motions and a lot of crises to come and so, we should not set a standard that we cannot maintain. To be on the safe side, maybe, for fear of being misquoted by the press or individuals, I suggest that we should leave this matter until the Committee submit its report.
Thank you, Sir.
Hon. E. West Idahosa (Ovia North East/Ovia West): Point of Order!
Mr. Speaker: What Point of Order?
Hon. E. West Idahosa: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to refer the House to Rule 60 on Anticipation. It is my submission that this motion is out of order, it is anticipatory, contrary to the Rules of this House and I want to draw the attention of this honourable House to Rule 60(1) which says:
It shall be out of order to make a motion to
remove an amendment dealing with the
subject matter of a bill or other order of the
day appointed for consideration.
Rule 60(3) interprets what that could mean and it reads:
In determining whether a discussion is out of
order on the ground of anticipation, regard
shall be had by the Speaker to the probability
of the matter anticipated being brought before
the House within a reasonable time.
Mr. Speaker, the recommendations and decisions to be reached on these issues are on their way and within a reasonable time, that Ad-hoc Committee is going to,
present its report, which may include some of these issues that is being contemplated in this motion. In the circumstance, it becomes anticipatory of the recommendations of the on-coming report.
I Would, therefore, suggest, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that
you consider this motion as anticipatory and rule accordingly. I beg to submit.
Mr. Speaker: Based on the Point of Order raised on Rule 60 of this honourable House, I hereby rule that this motion is really and truly anticipatory of the Ad-hoc Committee that we are expecting to submit its report to us. I hereby rule that this motion is out of order.
Motion accordingly Ruled out of order.
Hon. Uduese Essien (Eket/Onwa/Esit/Ibeno): Mr. Speaker, Sir, after you have disposed of the first two motions, I have looked through the remaining ones and I found none to be of urgent public importance and considering the fact that you would announce the Committees by 4.00 p.m. today, I would suggest that we suspend discussions on the other motions because we are behind schedule in our comments on the President's address. Let us go on with the President's address and then take up the other motions after the Committees have been constituted. (Applause).
Restoration of Peace, Law and Order in Kafanchan
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Ado Dogo Audu, you have the floor.
Hon. Ado Dogo Audu (Jama'a/Sanga): Mr. Speaker, Sir, my honourable Colleagues, I beg to move that:
In view of the fact that the recent chieftaincy and tribal crisis in Kafanchan has led to immense loss of lives and properties, total break down of law and order, economic and social instability in the area; this House do urge the Federal Government to:
(i) as a matter of urgency ensure the placement of quick intervention force at Kafanchan and such trouble spot areas nationwide.
(ii) Provide humanitarian aid to the affected victims, and
(iii) find a lasting solution to the crisis.
I beg to move.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any seconder to this motion?
Hon. Mohammed. Hussaini Likoro (Makarfi/Kudan): Mr. Speaker, Sir, Members. I hereby second the motion.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Ado Dogo Audu, please let us hear the merits of your motion.
Hon. Audu: Mr. Speaker, Sir, honourable Members of the House, I rise to shed more light on the motion brought before this honourable House about the crisis of Kafanchan chieftaincy title and tribal crisis. These crises have been on for many years and as a result thousands of lives and properties have been destroyed. Committees have been set up over the years and their recommendations had never been honoured. I want therefore, to urge this honourable House to use its constitutional powers to put an end to this crisis. This, I believe, would bring lasting peace and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
Thank you, Sir.
Mr. Speaker: Is there any comments?
Hon. Mohammed Inuwa Aliyu (Lere): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to inform this honourable House on the second demands in this motion, that the Federal Government of Nigeria has sent a delegation to Kafanchan in Kaduna State on Saturday to assess the damages done and I think they are yet to report back to Government.
I want to talk on the first demand by the movers of this motion. I am against the idea of requesting for forces to be stationed in areas where there is trouble. In most of the States in the Northern parts of the country, chiefdoms are now portraying us in a very bad light. The issue of Chiefdoms are being created by Government. The people of Southern Zaria demanded for Chiefdoms from the Government but before the request was granted, killings and crisis erupted. I feel that what- is more important to all of us is for us to be patient with ourselves and wait for Government to answer our request.
Again, I want to add that what happened in Kafanchan had happened about three years ago and it is once again being repeated. It is only God that would save us and the entire people of that area.
I have a letter written by the other group, nine tribes from that area requesting for Chiefdom and in it they said they were asking for Chiefdom to be created and if the government does not do it, they will embark on mass killings.
Mr. Speaker, in 1992 the Katafs applied for Chiefdom in the State and by 1993 they embarked on mass killing and cleared an entire town that the Federal Government had to rebuild before the members of the Village decided to come back. So, I think it is not a question of putting force in that area but for patience, tolerance and the need to live in peace with our neighbours.
Thank you.
Hon. Folaranmi Oyebanji (Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere): I have the feeling that prayers is the best, because anything we might have to say here today might be sheer negligence and the fact remains that there are certain Motions, if we consider the message, the merits, the positive aspect and the negative aspect of it, it might have nothing to do with this House at all. We ought to understand the workings of federalism. There are certain Bills that should go to the Legislature. There are certain ones that goes to the Federal Government. This kind of Motion, if we study it adequately, we will see that it has to do with the State House of Assembly and the Governor of that State has not alerted the Federal Government that it is incapable of solving the problems there. So, I will suggest to this Hon. House that this matter should be refered to the State concerned because it is not under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
Thank you (Applause).
Hon. Barau Jibrin (Tarauni): Mr. Speaker, Sir, mine is just an addition to what the Hon. Speaker.. has just. talked about. We all know that the issue of Chietaincy Affairs lies within the jurisdiction of the State Goverment ment. In as much as the people of Kafanchan are really in problem we sympathise with their plight and I would like to add that this issue should be reffered to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, whose jurisdiction is to discuss this issue. Thank you.
Hon. Enwereuzor A. Eze (Aba North/Aba South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, Hon. Members, I think the problem is that when we started, we did not have much. People were just looking for recognition. Right now, we have a lot coming with the creation of various Committees. Motions should stop coming in the way they, are. Let us get to serious Legislative Business and look at issues and refer them to the appropriate Committees. Let us get. a little bit serious, ladies and gentlemen.
We are not saying that these problems do not exist. They do exist, and I am sure that each Constituency in this Country has a problem, if not exactly the same, but something similar. If the 359 Members bring Motions like this, I think we will end up running a Kangaroo Parliament instead of running a Parliament of very credible Hon. Members.
Please, for goodness sake, from 4.00. p. m. today, do present your problems to the various Committees that are resposible or have some close relationship with what you are asking for. They will now have the responsibility of letting this House know whether it is worth our time or not.
Thank you, very much. (Applause).
Hon. Ibrahim Abdullabi (Sabon Gari): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to crave the indulgence of this House to please look at the prayers of this Motion, once more. The first prayer is that, as a matter of urgency, we are calling on the Federal Government to ensure the placement of a Quick Intervention Force at Kafancha and in order for us not to be selfish, for that force to be placed in such trouble sots nationwide. Let me expatiate on that.
The current issue that brought the genesis of this Motion happened on Friday, when the Military Administrator then of Kaduna State was going for the coronation of the Emir of Jema'a. He was barricaded and stopped from entering into where the ceremony was taking place. He went back and wanted to send Mobile Police to the trouble spot. It
took 48 hours for the Mobile Police to be gathered and assembled to come in and within that 48 hours, over 50 lives were lost, and a man's life to this House, I believe, is very important not to talk of 150 or more lives. This was because of lack of the presence of the Police which is Federal Government affair and not a State or Local Government Affair.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, this House knows the importance of States and Local Governments, and about the Committees that we are going to
inaugurate, I believe, there should be a Committee on States and Local Governments. I believe, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the third prayer also said that we should find lasting solutions to the crisis. Every effort that this House makes in ensuring that there are Police Stations in such areas, not only Kafanchan but anywhere that is likely to be a trouble spot, is a welcome development because we are trying to save lives and that is what
democracy is all about.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Binta Garba Koji (Kaduna South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Motion is very important when you cast your minds back to 1992. A similar incident happened in Kafanchan and virtually everybody in the country was touched by it. It started from Kafanchan where so many houses were burnt down, some Ibos were killed; Yorubas were killed and every family in Kaduna State lost somebody, one way or the other. The Government of Kaduna State has tried all it could but nothing has been done to save lives. 'rhe American government can spend the last resources it has to protect the life of one American citizen, talkless of innocent souls dying.
We talked about Law Enforcement agents who were sent there. If not for any other thing else, but to save innocent souls who know nothing about this chieftancy or tribal incident and who are being killed indiscriminately. If the Federal Government does not intervene now, then who else? The State government has tried but we got virtually nothing from it. I am begging this House to give this Motion a little respect so that those people that are there remain there because most people are running away from Kafancha and never to go back. If those working there do not go back, their families will be
in trouble. So, I beg this honourable House to look at this Motion critically.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole (Somolu): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I find this Motion very incompetent and it must fail. If you look at the Motion, Hon. Member for Sabon Gari (Hon. (Major) Ibrahim Abdullahi) has told us the reasons why he thinks it must be passed. For those same reasons, let us examine the preambles to his prayers. It says, in view of the fact that the recent chieftancy and tribal crisis in Kafanchan. Since when has Chieftancy matter been the responsibilities of the Federal Government of this Country? Again, let us move forward. He says, This House do urge the Federal Government to and he lists all the prayers. Prayer No. 3 Find the lasting solution to the crisis. Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the crisis? If the Federal Government is doing that. what would the State government be doing? And 1 must say, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that there is a Commissioner of Police in that State. He has responsibilities for such matters. I think this matter should be rightly referred to the State House of Assembly. They have the responsibility for that and not this House.
Hon. Sule Yarigandi (Wurno/Raba): Mr. Speaker, Sir, distinguished hon. Members, I have a point of observation. When the last speaker was reading the preamble to the last Motion, he said, In view of the recent chieftancy and tribal crisis. To mover of that Motion was only using that language to arrive at what he wants to arrive at. But in essence, what he was trying to point out was that, there was a total break down of Law and Order as A result of the crisis precipitated by the chieftancy and tribal crisis in Kafanchan; that is the issue. So, I want to observe that the last speaker from Somolu (Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole) should take note. You do not just pick words and say this is what it is.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Hon. (Chief) Chukwuemeka Chikelu (Anaocha/Njikoka/Dun Ukofia): Mr. Speaker, the Rules of this honourable House, do not allow for interruption once a Member has been granted the
floor by Mr. Speaker, he cannot be interrupted except by a point of order which a Member will raise for the Speaker to decide. There is nothing like observation or information.
Thank you, very much.
Hon. (Mrs) Florence D. Aya (Kaura): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have reasons to support this Motion and to also tell my hon. Members that this Motion has a Federal Character; in that, if Warri crisis will receive the attention of this honourable House, I want to take you back to the historical back-ground of this particular issue. In 1987, there was Kafanchan crisis where many people lost their lives. In 1992, Zango Kataf became an International issue and not only a Nigerian issue. In 1992, in 1996 and now in 1999, Kaduna State has faced these crisis. So, this is a National issue. We are asking that this House should go into Kaduna Chieftancy issue and get this problem solved once and for all. The Federal Government can intervene and ask the State government to act on this issue quickly. If an issue has become a National issue, the Federal Government can intervene. Many people died
in Kafanchan and many houses were burnt down during the last two or three weeks. People who are doing real business are running away with their families; the Yorubas, the Nupes and every tribe that resides in Kafanchan were all victims.
My hon. Members, this issue is a National one and I want us to look at it to answer these two prayers and also to call on the State government to act immediately so that those who are now stranded will be looked after. The issue of chieftancy, emanated from the colonial masters who came and imposed some people to rule the indigenes. It is the same issue with the Zangon Kataf people as well as in different parts of this country. So, we should have this issue resolved once and for all.
My hon. Speaker, this is my contribution to this issue. Thank you.
Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Yar'Adua (Katsina): Mr. Speaker, Sir, before we take a decision, we have to look at the constitutionality of the Motion. If you look at section 47 up to section 97 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where the Legislative functions and procedures are
outlined, I think we should not consider this Motion. Also, if you look at section 176 which gives the Executive power over such matters to the Governor of a State, I think, this issue should be referred to the state government. The Kaduna State House of Assembly/the Governor should be allowed to evolve ways and means of solving this particular crisis.
Thank You.
Hon. Abdullahi Idris Umar (Yamaltu/ Deba): Mr.Speaker, Sir, Principal Officers of the house, distinguished honourable Colleagues. I want to observe that we are skipping the real intention of the provisions of the Constitution . particularly as enshrined in section 11 thereof. With the permission of Mr. Speaker I read:
The National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order and providing, maintaining and securing of such supplies and services as may be designated by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.
I wish to submit with respect that if the National Assembly has powers to make laws on maintenance, of law and order and security in any part of the Federation, the same Assembly has the powers to pass resolutions calling on the government to send forces to any part of the country where there are crisis.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, the wordings of the Motion are very clear. On the preamble, I wish to agree with one of the speakers on this Motion who was apparently opposing on the ground that the Motion is seeking to indulge this House in legislating on Chieftaincy Affairs. The operative word there is total breakdown of law and order, and the question is, is there a total breakdown of law and order in Kafanchan and its environs? If the answer is in the affirmative, I submit with respect that this honourable House has the powers to pass resolutions, in fact, we can make laws.
I submit with respect that we should, in the circumstances pass resolutions granting the first prayer asking the Federal Government to ensure quick placement of intervention force at Kafanchan and its environs. That we should do.
Then, secondly, we have already had in place Peace and National Reconciliation Committee as a Standing Committee contained in the Rules of this House. I think we should save ourselves time not to belabour the matter further. We should refer the other ingredients of the Motion to that Committee since Mr. Speaker has already informed this House today that these Committees will come into existence by 4.00 p.m. today. The other ingredients of the Motion should be referred to the Peace and National Reconciliation Committee because the third prayer thereof is seeking for a lasting solution to the crisis. I do not think we can handle a lasting solution by Ad-hoc arrangement. Let us refer it to the Peace and National Reconciliation Committee to look into the matter thoroughly and eventually report to this House.
Mr. Speaker, distinguished Colleagues, I beg to move.
Hon. Patrick Okon (Akpabuyo /Bakasi/ Calabar South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have a point of Constitution information. Mr. Speaker, the last speaker has pointed us to Section 11 of the Constitution and he read only sub-section 1; he did not read Sub-section 4 and Sub-section 5. Subsection 4 says:
At any time when any House of Assembly of
a State is unable to perform its function by
reason of the situation prevailing in that
State, the national Assembly may make such
laws for the peace, order and good government
of that State with respect to matters on which a
House of Assembly may make laws as may
appear to the National Assembly to be necessary.
But Sub-section 5 again says:
For the purpose of Sub-Section 4 of this
Section, the House of Assembly shall not be
deemed to be unable to perform its function
so long as the House of Assembly can hold a
meeting and transact business.
I think in this case, Mr. Speaker, he has not told us that the House of Assembly of Kaduna State cannot sit and transact business. And if they can sit and transact business, the National Assembly cannot take over their function.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you, hon. Okon, for your information.
Hon. Farouk Mohammed Lawan (Bagwai/Shanono): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am a bit worried with the way we are deliberating on issues in this House. I believe, considering the calibre of this House and the importance of the issues we are supposed to discuss, that most thorough presentation should be made on issues. For instance, here we are with very serious and important issue which is summarised in two sentences or three lines. We have not been told the level of complexities that created the problem in Kafanchan and why there was crisis in 1992, why there was crisis in t993 and why we are having another crisis now.
My fear is that as serious as the issue may be, if we take a precipitating decision on this, then the tendency is that we may be seen as taking sides with one faction in this particular crisis.
I further want to say that the essential difference between our democracy racy and the military regime we have ,just come out from is the concern for human life. I believe we should be concerned with the protection of lives and property. I urge whoever is making a presentation to present something that is thorough, very clear and well researched so that by the time we take a decision, we will know exactly the decision we are taking.
I finally want to urge this House to refer this mater to the Committee on the States and Local Governments so that they can dig -more, and if need be present this House with more thorough and wellresearched position so that when we take a position, we would not be seen by the larger Nigerian community to be taking sides with one particular group in a crisis as important as this.
Thank you, very much. (Applause)
Hon. Danlami Hamza (Fagge): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to call your attention to the fact that the crisis in Kafanchan has ben a recurring decimal in our recent history. We are talking about principally about loss of lives of innocent souls who know neither the beginning not, the cause of the crisis. If indeed we are worried about loss of lives and property, more importantly lives, I would want us to
note that we cannot live in our conscience if we should sit back and refuse to at least respond to the first Motion sought which is for the Executive arm that controls the forces to station a quick response security personnel in Kafanchan: We are talking of 150 lives to date. If it is put on record that we debated this issue and kept it aside and tomorrow, there is a similar incident in which more lives are lost, I wonder how we can live with our consciences. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: I will put the question now. But before I do that, I would want to draw the attention of the sponsors of this motion to refer this Motion, especially as far as a lasting solution is concerned to an appropriate Committee by 4.00 p.m. today.
Question put and negatived.
Mr. Speaker: I want to align with what the last hon. Member said about Motions. Before Members bring forth Motions, they should do more research so that they are better prepared to present their Motions. I think that is the right advice. I think the reason is that we do not have the Committee on Business and Rules yet. When the Committee on Business and Rules takes effect today by 4 O'clock, they will thoroughly screen these Motions before they are put on the Order Paper. But Members who are interested in bringing up Motions should endeavour to do enough research so that they can defend or promote their Motions.
Rehabilitation and Dualisation of Owerri-MbaiseUmuahia Federal Road
Hon. Tony Anyanwu (Ahiazu/Ezinhite): Mr. Speaker, Sir, with due respect, I have an application to make in pursuance to Order 42, Section 2. I would like to move that my Motion be postponed. (Laughter)
Mr. Speaker: Order! Order!! Order!!!
Hon. Anyanwu: If I may continue; Mr. Speaker, Sir, I believe that the sentiment echoed by my hon. Colleagues is - an indication of : the mood of the moment. Under the circumstance, I would like t say that the Rule provides that an Order of the Da may be postponed on Motion without notice. Mr.
Speaker, Sir, my hon. Colleagues, may I crave your indulgence to grant me permission that this Motion be postponed until the appropriate
time.
Thank you.
Hon. Fred A.U Okeke (Ihiala): Mr. Speaker, Sir, Point of Order!
Mr. Speaker: What Order?
Hon. Okeke: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is Order on postponement of Motions. It is my humble submission that in a situation like this where an hon. Member had moved for the postponement of a Motion, that Mr. Speaker should rule on it. He should properly tell us whether that application is granted or not before we move ahead to the next Order. Otherwise, it would be left blank.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Based on the application of Hon. Tony Anyanwu, who is the main sponsor of the Motion on the Rehabilitation and Dualisation of Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia Federal Road, that this honourable House go give him grant to postpone this Motion till further notice.
I hereby grant him same.
Motion by leave postponed.
Recall on Suspended/Rusticated Student Union Leaders of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile in the interest of peace, Justice and Democracy
Hon. Wunmi Bewaji (Lagos Mainland): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, moving this motion with me are my honourable Colleagues - Hon. Dorcas I. Odujinrin, Hon. Ahmad Lawan, Hon. Bello Mohammed, Hon.
Jerry Sonny Ugokwe and Hon C.E. Ohiagu.
With profound respect: I move. That in view of the fact that the prolonged crisis between the Students Body and the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, consequent upon the peaceful demonstration of OAU Students on December 16, 1996,. predicated upon the hanging by Abacha Junta of the late environmental rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa and his eight other Ogoni kinsmen
leading to the indefinite suspension/ rustication of:
Anthony Fasayo
Musa Oshodi
Kunle Ajiginni
Oluwole Babalola
Seni Ajayi
Isola Laguda
Adekile Kuyoro
Wale Ajayi
Charles Amodu
Olamide Olatunji
and eleven other Student leaders WHEREFORE the tJniversity has been witnessing unabated students unrest and incessant close downs, this House do constitute a Committee to intervene in the matter of the suspended/ rusticated students as a matter of urgency and make recommendations to this House on such Order, actions or decisions as may be deemed necessary for the House to make or take in the circumstances.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.
Hon. Dorcas Odujirin (Ikorodu): Mr. Speaker Sir, I beg to second this Motion on humanitarian and economic grounds. I humbly support the Motion.
Mr. Speaker: I call on the hon. Member for Lagos Mainland (Hon. Bewaji) to give us merits of his Motion, please.
Hon. Wunmi Bewaji (Lagos Mainland): Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a case whose humble beginning is located in the chequered history of our nation; in the past 15 years to free ourselves from military misrule, oppression, sadism, dictatorship; and the determination of a dictatorship to suppress popular wishes of the people and to wipe out every conceivable opposition culminating in the death by hanging of Comrade Ken Saro Wiwa and eight Ogoni people in spite of both local and international opposition to such a move. The brutal killing generated spontaneous reactions both locally and internationally leading to the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth of nations and the declaration of Nigeria as a pariah nation.
At home, well-meaning Nigerians at the risk of their lives and limbs reacted actually to the killing. At the convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University on December 15th 1995, the students of the University led by this young dynamic Prince and articulate leader, led a peaceful placarddisplay demonstration in protest against the killing.
The action of the students was considered an embarrassment to the visitor to the University who happened to be the head of the junta. Consequently, the Student Union Leader, was summarily dismissed ostensibly to impress the visitor. That was the end of peace on Ife campus. Efforts made by the students bodies or their alumni to reverse the situation have yielded more negative results than positive.
Hon. Lar R. Victor (Langtang North-South): Point of Order, Sir.
Mr. Speaker: What is your Point Order, please?
Hon. Lar R. Victor: I refer the House to Rules of Debate, Rule 51(l) of the House. It reads:
A member shall not read his speech save if he
is moving a Motion or presenting a bill. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Bewaji is the mover of this Motion.
Hon. Bewaji: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also refer the House to Rule 51(2) which allows me to refresh my memory and then to read extractions from notes. So, I am in order, Sir.
Mr. Speaker: You may, proceed, please.
Hon. Bewaji: Mass mobilisation made by the students in 1996 led to the disruption of academic activities and indefinite suspension further of seven more students. Similar efforts made in 1997 led to the escalation of the unrest and the expulsion of four more students.
@@@@@
Missing Text
@@@@@
which threat was suspended after the LOC met with the student leaders gave assurances that the matter would be taken up with the presidency. In February, this year, to press home their demands, the student body embarked upon another round of mobilisation, whereupon the University was closed down indefinitely.
Just last week, notices were pasted all over the campus and paid advertisements were also put in the newspapers that the university
authorities asked the students to resume studies. The same notice declared the case of the students rusticated or suspended to be closed for ever. The notice implied that giving any form of friendship, sympathy or association with the suspended or rusticated students by any student or staff was an offence punishable with summary dismissal. The Notice drawn up by a Civil Servant read more like a military decree than an ordinary Memo by a Civil Servant. This is what long years of military rule has done to our people.
I have had the responsibility of meeting in the last 72 hours or so, a cross-section of the students body and the Human Rights Community and what I see looming, if it is anything to go by, we may be about to witness, within the next two weeks or so, a students union unrest of grave and catastrophic magnitude as we have never witnessed in the history of our country. Two main factors are responsible for the present impasse.
Hon. Adams Jagaba (Kachia/Kagarko): Point of Order, Sir.
Mr. Speaker: What is your Point of Order?
Hon. Jagaba: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Point of Order is Order No. 51(2) reads:
A Member may, however, read short not long extracts.
He is reading a long one, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: That Order is overruled. You may proceed, please.
Hon. Bewaji: The import in the deliberate policy of a military regime, to
kind of militarise the campuses We all know that at a time in this
country, it was becoming a fashion that even all it will take to be a Vice Chancellor of a University was to be a general in the -army. It got to a stage whereby Sole Administrators were being appointed, for Nigerian Universities. So in. order to keep their jobs, university Vice Chancellors have to behave themselves. And the only way
to do that is to keep either by force or law the university community and environment in peace: And this they do by whatever means possible including the instrument of suppression.
The second reason is the presence in the body of statutes of three main decrees which! have strengthened the hands of the Federal Military Government, on their hold on the university community. The first is the Suspension on and Modification Decree No 1 of 1984 which kind of abrogated all Rights contained in Chapter 4 of the Constitution. The second is the States Security Detention of Persons Decree No. 2 which allows anybody raising any objection or insurrection against any military government to be detained without any question being put in any court of law. The third is the Students Union Activities Control and Regulation Decree No 22 of 1998 which prohibited any form of student unionism on Nigeria campuses.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members of the House, I am happy to inform this House that by an Extraordinary , Gazette issued on Wednesday, June 9th 1999, the aforementioned Decrees have been repealed with effect from 29th May, 1999.
The President in his address to this honourable House told us that we need to give this country a rebirth. He also told us that we need to look into the body statutes of Nigerian laws to make sure that we bring it in accordance with democratic practice. In doing that, I will also urge this House that we are not only going to look. at the body statutes alone.
Hon. Levi Oguike (Owerri North/Owerri West/Owerri-Municipal): Mr. Speaker Sir, Rule 56 talks about dilatory and if you look at the definition of a Dilatory Motion, it shows that it is:
Motion usually made upon a technical point
for purposes of killing time.
I think this is killing time.
Hon. (Chief) Esio Udoh (Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udu Nguko Urue Offong Oriko): Mr. Speaker, Point of Order?
Mr. Speaker: What Order is that?
Hon. (Chief) Esio Udoh: Mr. Speaker, Sir, my Order is Order 39(6) which says:
The House will not receive any petition on any matter:
(a) for which there is a judicial remedy for which no application has been made.
To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Speaker, and Members of this honourable House, the students concerned went to court, the court did not grant their petition and if the decree under which the court did not grant their request is repealed by the Government, I think the students have the right to go back to court from which they can seek judicial remedy.
That is my observation, honourable Speaker.
Hon. (Barrister) Tony Anyanwu (Ahiazu/E Ezinihite): Point of Order!
Mr. Speaker: What Order?
Hon. (Barrister) Tony Anyanwu: I would like to direct the last speaker to Order 39(t), the opening provision there is that:
A petition may only be presented....
We are talking about a petition in contradistinction with a Motion. I think the proponent of the Motion is in order.
Thank you.
Hon. Nduka Irabor (Ika North East/Ika South): Point of Order!
Mr. Speaker: What Point of Order?
Hon. Nduka Irabor: I will go back to our rules book,
Order 39. We are not going to turn this House into a police station where it appears that the man who comes first to lay his complaint is the man who should be listened to.
The Motion being presented by an hon. Member is a matter already being dealt with by a court of law. At the best, his motion is a petition and the process of filing a petition in this House has not been fulfilled as spelt out in the early paragraphs of Section 39, which says:
(1) A petition may only be presented to the
House by a member, who shall affix his
name at the beginning thereof.
(2) A member presenting a petition shall
confine himself to a brief statement of the
parties from whom it came, the number of
signatures attached to it and the material
allegations contained in it.
These are allegations, we have not heard from the school authority. It is just one side of the matter that we have heard. The movers of this Motion have not presented to us the entire materials particular to this Motion. At best, we would advise them to pasture this Motion to a Committee that they will look at it as if it is a Motion that the House would deliberate upon. At best, as it is now, it is a petition.
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker: On the Motion that Hon. Wunmi Bewaji is presenting, the students are not in court as at now. Are they in court?
Hon. Nduka Irabor: They are in court.
Mr. Speaker: In which court are they?
Hon. Nduka Irabor: I would not know now, but I know they are. They have sought relief in court.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Wunmi Bewaji, you have the floor. Proceed with your presentation on the Motion, please.
Hon. Wunmi Bewaji: In rounding up, I would urge the House to consider the Motion. The prayer before this honourable House is that this matter referred to a Committee. I am not asking this honourable House this morning to make a decision on this matter or to make an order on this matter. All that I am putting before this honorable House is a prayer that this matter be referred to a Committee. Not only that, that that Committee after taking evidence from all the sides to this dispute, should now make a recommendation to this honourable House on such order or orders or resolution that this House might consider or deem necessary to make in the circumstances.
Mr. Speaker: Are you moving a Motion or you are asking this House for advise? I thought it was a motion. Have you finished?
Hon. Wunmi Bewaji: I beg to move, Sir. Mr. Speaker: Is there any comment on this?
Hon. Musa Elayo (Awe): Mr. Speaker, Sir, with due respect to my learned Friend, the Motion before this honourable House today, to my mind, is misconceived. The Government of this country is run by three arms. The three arms are the Executive, the Judiciary and the
Legislature and each of these three arms has its functions. The fundamental function of the judiciary, is to settle disputes between members of the society or between members of the society and the Government. The issue that my honourable Colleague brought before this House is an issue that can be resolved by the judiciary.
I will refer this honourable House to the case of the University of Maiduguri students, that is, the case of Garba Vs the University of Maiduguri. It was a case where some students were suspended. I do not have to cite because we are not in a law court. It was a case where students were suspended and they went right up to the Supreme Court of this country and they were granted relief. We do not know why these students were suspended. The students have the right to go to the courts of this country to pray for the enforcement of their rights. We cannot do that because if we do, we are going into areas that do not affect us.
With due respect, Sir, I would urge this honourable House to
discountenance this Motion because it is not for us to go into that area (Applause)
Hon. Barrister O.L. Kehinde (Iwo/Alyedire/OlaOluwa): Point of Order !
Mr. Speaker: What Point of Order?
Hon. Barrister O.L. Kehinde: Order .47 says:
The question on any motion or amendment
shall not be proposed from the Chair in the
House unless it shall have been seconded.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, there has been no seconder to this motion.
Mr. Speaker: There has been. Sit down, please.
Hon. O.L. Kehinde: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the mover of a Motion cannot second the Motion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the seconder of the Motion is one of the movers of the Motion. Hon. Dorcas I. Odujinrin is one of the movers of this Motion and she also seconded the Motion. So, I am saying that the proper procedure has not been followed because the mover of the Motion also seconded it. (Applause)
Mr. Speaker: I will put the question.
That in view of the fact that the prolonged crisis between the Students Body and the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, consequent upon.the peaceful demonstration of OAU Students on December 16th, 1996, predicated upon the hanging by Abacha Junta of the late environmental rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa and his 8 other Ogoni kinsmen leading to the indefinite suspension/rustication of (1) Anthony Fasayo'
(2) Musa Oshodi (3) Kunle Ajiginni (4) Oluwole Babalola (5) Seni Ajayi (6) Isola Laguda (7) Adekile Kuyoro (8) Wale Ajayi (9) Charles Amodu (10) Olamide Olatunji and 11 other student leaders WHEREFORE the University has been witnessing unabated students unrest and incessant close downs, this House do constitute committee to intervene in the matter of the suspended/rusticated students as a matter of urgency and make recommendations to this House on such Order, Orders, actions or decisions as may be deemed necessary for the House to make or take in the circumstances.
Question put and negatived.
Hon. Abraham Lanre Laoshe (Abeokuta South): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to move the Motion which is Historical Importance of and
Deficiencies in the National Assembly Complex:
That in view of the fact that:
(i) The National Assembly Complex has acquired and sought to acquire the status of a National Monument as it is the case in other nations;
(ii) the facilities are deficient and unsuitable for Parliamentary work even when compared with those of some States within Nigeria;
(iii) a lot of press reports have been published condemning the deficiencies;
(iv) the former Military Head of State publicly condemned the deficiencies;
(v) enormous amount of funds belonging to the Nigerian people were committed to the project;
I hereby move that this Hon. House in exercise of her powers of investigation and oversight as contained in Section 88(1)(b) and 2(b), and Section 89 of the Constitution:
(i) direct that a hearing on the matter be made by the Committee on Works and Housing, which has jurisdiction on all public buildings including the National Assembly, once it is set up;
(ii) Fix a date for the commencement of the hearing;
(iii) invite officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority, the Architects, Contractors and other parties involved in the design and execution of the project to give evidence and tender documents as stipulated in Section 89 of the Constitution;
(iv) consider any remedial measure that can be taken so that the Contractors are still on
site. It is making such measure relatively easier and cheaper than later in the future;
(v) consider enacting a law requiring that all public buidings and structures must be designed and built to satisfy wholly and fully the use of which they will be put.
I so move, Mr. Speaker, Sir: Thank you .
Hon Samuel Onazi Obande (Ado/Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo): Mr: Speaker, Sir, I stand to second the Motion.
Hon. Abraham Lanre Laoshe: Mr. Speaker, Sir, this morning I called the Sergeant-At-Arms and this represents an evidence to this House. Half of the work requirements of this House are already going on and every time we, have a project like this, we make comments on what we have seen. Several times we talk but we do not act. I think that this current session of the National Assembly is making history. This is the first National Assembly in the Federal Capital in Abuja. Although there has been one previously, the Constitution was not proclaimed. So, substantially, this is the first Assembly in the Federal Capital and we have to contend with a
building that does not represent the parliament anywhere in the world by any standard. We have seen on television the South African Parliament, we have seen the Imo State House of Assembly and the Anambra State House of Assembly. But what we have here is a
building that looks more like a theatre than a Parliament and three generations to come, our children will ask us what did we do when such a
building was built and given to us?
If we want to move out of our seats, we have to adjust before we could move out.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, every morning, I have to put my legs on the panel here because the Air Conditioner comes direct from under my legs and by the time we spend four years, some of us will go back with arthritis. I have not seen any building where the effect of the Air Conditioner comes direct from under the seats and we can go on and on to say the deficiencies of this
building.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, permit me to show you this. In 1890, the US Congress sat individually and that is about two
hundred years ago. Individually, can we ask somebody to give us a house for N6 billion which is more than $60 million at the turn of the
millennium and he is giving us a defective building such as this? I think it is the rules of this House to ask and to know what .actually happened. We should know whether the contract was approved by government officials. We were told that it looks like the Assemblies in Europe. I, have seen the photograph of the German Parliament which was opened last year but this does not look like it either in shape or colour and we `cannot let our hard earned money. to just go down the drain.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I appeal to this Hon. House to pass this Motion that the Committee on 'Works and Housing should consider this matter.
May God bless you, Mr. Speaker, God bless you, Hon. Members.
Thank you. (Applause)
Hon. Jerry Sonny Igbokwe (Idemili North/Idemili South): Mr. Speaker: Sir, in moving this Motion, we considered a lot .of things. We undertook a tour of this building and found a lot of things lacking. Talking from a professional point of view as an Architect of nearly 20 years, this is the first time I am seeing a buiding like this -a National Assembly designed in a form of Movie Theatre.
As I have said before, the designers of this building should realise that we are here to do serious business. We are not here to watch movies and we shall not subject ourselves to sitting in a movie theatre pretending to be doing serious business for this nation. It is one of the National Assemblies that. I have seen that do not have a proper table where hon. Members can sit and write without being disturbed.
You can see, Mr. Speaker, that half of my books are kept on the steps of this Hall and I think that is not right. Mr. Speaker, you clan also see that for me to speak and for the people in this Chambers to hear me, I have to' either bend or stoop down.
It is in the consideration of all these and many other things that we decided to bring this Motion to this House. We are therefore asking that this House should allow the Committee on Works and Housing to permit us to bring evidence to bear on the fact that this building was not properly done so that they can bring it back to this. hon. House. In so doing,
this House can decide on what needs to be done with this building.
I am aware that even in the Senate, at some point, they were moving a motion to go back to the International Conference Centre bearing in mind that this building is not proper for us to sit. In fact, in the Senate, I noticed that when they are talking, first, they just stand up to be recognised for you to know where they are talking from and then they sit down in order to be able to reach the microphone.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do implore this House that this Motion be carried so that it can go to the Committee on Works and Housing.
Thank you and God bless you.
Mr. Speaker: Can we hear comments for this Motion?
Hon. Jaafaru M. Damulak (Shendam/Mikang Quaan-pan): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to just make an observation still on this Motion that this decision we want to take should be delayed a bit. The reason is that we can regard this complex for now virtually as still a construction site. It is when everything is finished that we can properly compile a list of what needs to be done because we are never going to have details if we start now. Let the contractors finish everything and say they have finished. He has a defective liability period under which he must maintain whatever defect that is noticed.
We're talking of design, that is one thing. The second one is the quality of construction.
(Interruption)
Hon. Musa Nuhu Abdullahi ( Kaita /Jibia ): I have a point of Order! Mr. Speaker, I think when you called for comments you called for those who will speak for the Motion and not against the Motion. The hon. Member for Shendam/Migan Quaan-pan (Hon Jaafaru Damulak) is talking against the Motion.
Mr. Speaker: I think he is not against the Motion as such but the timing of the Motion. Am I right?
Hon. Jaafaru M. Damulak: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am a Civil Engineer by
profession and I have been involved in the construction of many big buildings even the size of this one. But I have many reservations about some things in this building.
If you call the contractor now to testify before you, he would tell you that he is not ready because he has not finished. So, if you talk about the design, yes, you are talking about something that has been completed. But if you talk about the quality of this building, you are talking of a different thing.
My suggestion is not that this Motion is not in order, it is, but that we should delay it a bit; let the contractor finish and handover. I do not think he has handed over the building yet.
Hon. (Dr) Jerry Sonny Ugokwe: I have a point of information!
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform this hon. House that once a building has been handed over to the owners or the managers of the building, the liability begins to run. So, because the contractors are still here does not mean that we cannot ask them to make presentations to us. The building has been handed over and we have the right to summon them to report to us.
Mr. Speaker: I am taking- arguments for the Motion now.
Hon. Omolola Abiola Edewor (Apapa): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am speaking in support of the Motion. We know that the windows are already in place but we cannot open them. This is an African country . We have witnessed power failure here this morning and it was very uncomfortable in this Chambers.
I think, it is better we call them in to see what they can do to give us ventilation in the event of power failure.
Thank you.
Hon. (Dr.) Adeleke Kehinde (Ojo): I am representing Ojo Federal Constituency which is the home of electronics.
Hon. (Engr.) Bako Mohammed Sarai (D/Kudu/ Warawa): Mr. Speaker, Sir, the speaker did not address, Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Speaker: he hon. Member for Ojo (Hon. Adeleke Kehinde) should address please. You may proceed.
Hon. (Dr.) Adeleke Kehinde: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker. Hon. Members of this House, I rise to support the Motion that this place is very defective. Since we have been here, the toilets are not functional and somebody is saying we should wait. What are we waiting for? It is my considered opinion that the first blow starts the battle. This is the time to start talking about this thing. I thank you very much.
Hon. Olabode Mustapha (Abeokuta North/Odeda/ Obafemi Owode): Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Mover and the co-Mover of the Motion have said, we cannot wait and say: let the contractor hands over. Even the design of this place has not taken into consideration people who are tall. Sometimes we have to stretch our legs on the platform in front of us. And if we wait, we cannot achieve much. If there are amendments that could be made, all this would be established when the contractors are invited to testfy before the House Committee on Works and Housing.
Thank you, very much.
Mr. Speaker: I will now take arguments against the Motion.
Hon. (Bare.) Ita Solomon Enang (Itu/Ibiono Ibom): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am submitting that this is not a legislative matter. What this House is set up and voted here to do is to exercise the legislative powers of the Federation for the order and good governance of this country or any part thereof.
Mr. Speaker, sir, I want to refer to section 4 of the 1999 Constitution where it says:
4(1) The legislatives powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
(2) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am submitting that what we are discussing is not in the process of making law for the order, peace and good governance of this
country. Moreover, this is an administrative matter which could be exercised or treated by the National Assembly in its administrative capacity.
I am submitting, therefore, that this Motion be not carried because we will be abusing the legislative process. Thank you.
Hon. Cajethan Dike (Orlu/Orsu/Oru East): Point of Order ! Mr. Speaker, what the Motion is saying is the condition upon which the legislative process is being undertaken.
Mr. Speaker: You said, point of Order and I am asking what Order? Can you please, sit down. (The Hon. Member for Orlu /Orsu /Oru East, Hon. Cajethan Dike takes his seat)
Hon. (Prof.) Clifford E. Ohiagu (Obingwu/ Osisioma/ Ugwunagbo): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to observe that at this stage, this Motion is out of place. Out of place in the sense that, if we continue to debate this kind of Motion, we will not be able to achieve anything in this House. We have seen that there is no building in the world that has no deficiency and all that we need to do is to point out the few deficiencies and have them corrected. I do not know what the movers of this Motion want to achieve? Whether they want us to destroy this House or what, so what I am saying - (Interruption)
An hon. Member: I have a Point of Order. It is Order 93 of the adopted Rules of this House. Section 12 at page 53 reads, with your permission:
There shall be a Committee to be known as Committee on Works and Housing, consisting of 15 to 30 Members appointed at the commencement of the life of this House;
2) The Committee's jurisdictions shall cover among other things Sub-section (b) to be direct:
Construction and Maintenance of public buildings including the National Assembly.
Mr. Speaker: Any argument against the Motion?
Hon. (Engr.) Lumumber Dan Adeh (Basra/Jos North): Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members, I think the main prayer of this Motion as contained on the Order Paper is that a hearing on the matter be made by the Committee on Works and Housing which has jurisdiction on all Public buildings including the National Assembly once it is set. up. What I. want to say here, Mr. Speaker, is that, as we are already informed that .this Committee will be in place by 4.00 p.m., I wish to say that the movers of this Motion should humbly suspend the Motion until the Committee is put in place.
Hon. (Arch.) Mohammed S. Dagash (Mongonu/ Ngazai/Marte): Mr. Speaker, Sir, with respect to, this particular edifice, some of us are privy to some information with respect to the conception of the project over the last three or four years. This was a .very big problem for the government of, Late Gen. Sani Abacha. Contractors forwarded their own designs. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) debated on the cost and size of this building and approved same. As of now, the contractors, have not formally handed over this building. There are certain contractual obligations that the Federal Government has reneged on, especially with respect to variation payment to the tune of N1.3 billion.
As at December 1998, the then Minister of FCT, Major General Kontagora (rtd) instructed them to abide by their 30 months completion period for
Match 15, 1999. The Contractors , agreed on condition that all the outstanding obligations by the Federal Government
would be met.
With the coming in of this Government, all the anticipated overall contracts have been suspended. All major contracts have been duly suspended also.
The claims of these- contractors are duly 'being' considered by the Federal Government and by a Special Committee as at now. For us to expect that' the contractors can be called in for a hearing will all be. embarrassing to this noble House. I agree with the last speaker that the Committee on Public Buildings as well as that of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should be saddled with the responsibility of resolving the nitty-gritty problems that this House has.
Secondly, this august House should be .very practical on certain Motion that is forwarded. There is-something that we may not be able to change with respect
to size and design of this building because the contractor was given an approved
set of drawings by the KT. The contractor built: what he saw in the specification he met. It is another issue With respect to the quality y d standard of vhat he . find inside this building. So, please, we should get
more acquainted with certain procedural requirement as per project management before we make certain comments that are not in the interest of this House.
Thank you. (Applause)
Mr. Speaker: I will put the question.
Question put and agreed to .
Resolved. That in view of the fact that:
(i) the National Assembly Complex has acquired and sought to acquire the status of a 'national monument as it is the case in other nations;
(ii)the facilities are deficient and unsuitable for parliamentary work even when compared with those of some States within Nigeria;
(iii) a lot of press reports have been published condemning the deficiencies;
(iv) the former military Head of State publicly condemned the deficiencies;
(v) enormous amount of funds belonging to the Nigerian people were committed to the project.
That this Honourable House in exercise of her powers of investigation and oversight as contained in Section 88(1)(b) and 2(b), and Section 89 of the, Constitution:
(i) direct that a hearing on the matter be made, by the Committee on Works and Housing, which has jurisdiction on all Public,
buildings including the National Assembly, once it is set up;
(ii) fix a date for the commencement of the hearing;
(iii) invite officials of' the Federal Capital Development Authority, the
architects contractors and other parties involved id the design and execution of the project to
give evidence and tender documents as stipulated in Section 89 of the Constitution;
(iv) consider any remedial measures that can be ` taken now that the contractors are still on, " site;' thus making measures relatively easier and
cheaper than later in the future; and such
(v) consider enacting a law requiring that all Public buildings, must be designed and built to satisfy wholly and fully the use to which they will be
put.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Members' Bank Details
Mr. Speaker: Some hon. Members that filled their Emolument Forms did not indicate their Bank details. So, I have directed the Clerk to call out their names so .that after this Session they can meet him and provide him with their Bank details because I understand- they want to make some payments into the accounts.
Could the Clerk call, out their names.
Deputy Clerk: Mr. Speaker, Sir; the name are;
Ahmadu Adamu A.S.
Bojude, Saidu Ahmed
Ogodo, Patience (Mrs)
Aladejebi, F.O.
Yilkes Barminas
Udu Sani
Young-Harry, Adokiye
Epeguale, T Mike
Elem, Nwigboji Francis
Nwala, Jacob Iwezor
Agbeotu, E. Emibra
Adamu Usman
Chikelu Chukwuemeka
Ezeani Nnamdi ThankGod
Nneke Itaka Frank
Inuwa, Alhaji Magaji
Kaoje, Bala B.
Igbodor, Peter Leja
Usman, Abdulaziz
Matori, Abdullahi Usman
Uba Safiyanu Taura
Babangida Jibrin Yusuf
Audu Dogo Ado
Song Isa Chigwom
Sani Mohammed Anka
Oludi Edwin Ogunda
Chima Kelechi
Ekwe Igwebuike Uchenna
Jagada Adams
Mustapha, Olabode Akeem
Abubakar Makwashi
Alhaji Usman
Ibrahim Lawal
Kere Kilyobas
Musa, Osuku Adamu
Yusuf Suleiman Cha Shullu
Aya Florence Diya.
Dansa Audu
Okuneye Gbolahan Okusanya
Ahmed Umar Alhaji
Dan-Musa
Alhaji Alhassan
Kamba Abdullahi Kamba
Etteh Olubumni O. Patricia
ORDER OF THE DAY
Mr. Speaker: Owing to lack of time, we will have to suspend the Order of the Day until tomorrow: Secondly, I would want, as soon as Hon. Members see their list, they should differentiate the Sittings of the Committees as against the House, which I think was ambiguous. They should work on that and please report to this honourable House.
Hon. Oludi Edwin A. (Ohio/Akpor): Mr. Speaker, Sir, if you look at one of the papers served today dated 3rd June, 1999, in respect of what took place, page 15, my name is not there at all but the name of the man I defeated is there which is a very big embarrassment, and I am here.
Mr. Speaker: The Clerk should, please take note of this observation and, amend.
Hon. (Dr) Esio O. Udoh (Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udu Nguko Urue Offong Oriko): Point of Order, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Speaker: What Point of Order?
Hon. Udoh: Mr. Speaker, Sir, Order 10 says: The Proceedings and Debates of the House shall be conducted in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba
Where adequate arrangements have been made thereof.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, distinguished Members of this House, if it is just Ieft for this House, I would not make this comment but what worries me seriously is because we have the Gallery in which people come from outside to watch the proceedings in the House. There are conventions in English Language
- (Interruption)
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Udoh, are, you giving an information? You said Point of Order.
Hon. Udoh: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: Do you know, Hon. Udoh, that you have disrupted the Proceedings of this honourable House and I am allowing you to state your Point of Order.
Hon. Udoh: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am sorry. The Point of Order I am making is that sometimes we stand up and say, my name is, another person will stand up and say, my names are.... 'We should interpret these things properly.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Udoh, your Point of Order is overruled.
Hon. Udoh: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Meeting of all AD Members
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, there will be a meeting of all Alliance for Democracy (AD) Members immediately after today's meeting at the usual venue.
The announcer is the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Chief Whip.
Workshop for Legislators
This is my personal announcement on the Workshop on the
Reporting the Legislators in the Fourth Republic.
I wish to inform Hon. Members that this House will commence sitting at 12.00 noon, on Wednesday,. 23rd June, 1999. This is to enable me declare open
a Workshop on the Media on Fourth Republic Legislators. I shall be accompanied to this Workshop by all the Party Leaders of this House and any other Members that will be interested in this Workshop should attend. The venue of the Workshop is Sheraton Hotels and Towers and the time is 10.00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Hon. Adeyemi Oluwole (Somolu): Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon. Members, I move that this honourable House do stand adjourned till tomorrow, 23rd June. 1999 at 12 noon.
I wish to move.
Hon. A Idris Umar (Yemaltu/Deba): Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon. Members, I do second the Motion for the adjournment of the proceedings of this House till tomorrow, 23rd June, 1999 at 12 noon.
Thank you.
Question put and agreed to
Resolved: That the House do stand adjourned till Wednesday 23rd June, 1999 at' 12 noon.
The House adjourned accordingly at 1.25 p. m.