Members of the House of Representatives are divided over a bill seeking to
alter Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution and grant immunity to Presiding
officers of the National Assembly.
This has caused a rowdy session at the first plenary after resumption from
the Eid-el-Fitr break.
The motion was sponsored by the Minority Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor but was
vehemently opposed by the Majority Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who
said that the timing of the bill is wrong, insisting that Nigerians will
not support it.
He also noted that no legislation in the world provides immunity for its
presiding officers.
In his verdict, the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara explained that any bill(s)
that seeks to amend the constitution are normally allowed to pass through
the 2nd Reading, before being sent to the adhoc committee on the review of
constitution.
This decision, however, attracted more rowdiness on the floor of the House.