•Dogara: NGOs can’t intimidate us

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to revisit the Devolution of Power Bill, immediately, in the interest of the unity of the country, at resumption after its eight-week recess.

The bill was thrown out during voting on the alteration of the 1999 Constitution, shortly before the House went on recess in July.

It resolved to immediately set up a strong “committee to liaise with all stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones for practical solutions to robust the unity of Nigeria.”

This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance, by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He said recent agitations led to divergent views on the redefining the structures of the country.

He pointed out that recent events brought the nation to precipice but “for the determination of Nigerians in their various show of commitment to the peace and unity of the country.”

He said there was an urgent need for the House to intervene, noting that lawmakers as representatives of their various constituencies must jettison partisan politics, ethnic and religious interest and speak with one voice so as to save the country from disintegration.

Before subjecting the motion to a vote, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, said since part of the prayers was the setting up of a committee to interface with stakeholders, there would be no need for a debate.

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Yusuff Lasun, has other principal officers of the House, apart from the speaker as members.

Other members include the chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje and deputy chairman, Committee on Rules and Business. Bode Ayorinde.

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The speaker said the aim of the NGO Regulation Bill was to inject transparency and accountability in the activities of NGOs in the country.

He noted that there were attempts to instigate religious and cultural groups to oppose the bills: “The National Assembly cannot be intimidated to abandon its sacred legislative duties of providing a platform for Nigerians to agree or disagree on any proposed legislative measure.”

Dogara also said as representatives of the people, members of the National Assembly could not disregard the views of Nigerians on any issue.

He insisted that the restructuring of the polity could only be undertaken by the federal legislature.

He recalled that during their recess agitation by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), for sovereign state of Biafra heightened, just as calls for a restructuring of the polity by different groups dominated national discourse.

Dogara said: “As an institution, this House stands firmly on the side of those who seek equity, fairness and justice so long as such is pursued in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which we as honorable members have sworn to protect and preserve.

“Anyone or group who assaults our Constitution will not find a partner here because our oath of office repels it, but those who stand for justice, fairness and equity will have partners in us because our oath of office compels it.

“It is my view that we need to revisit some aspects of the voting on Constitution Alteration. Luckily, we still have the legislative window of conferencing with the Senate, where we have differences.

“Indeed, I make bold to say that these recent developments are a pointer to the reality that constitutional amendment remains an unfinished business demanding our expeditious attention. I am confident we are well able to do the needful.

“Indeed, all the arguments about restructuring are at the end of the day, legislative issues. It may be necessary in due course for the National Assembly to have a second look at the issues that have been thrown up.

“The National Assembly as a representative and product of the people cannot act contrary to the wishes and aspirations of its constituents. We need to sift all the ‘noise’ and find out what exactly a majority of our people actually wants. This is a responsibility we cannot outsource.”

The speaker explained that, “when speech or noise leads to debate, it is called free speech, but when noise or speech incites to violence then that is hate speech. “Hate speech has no place in a democracy and must never be tolerated or allowed.”