Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru, made this known via Twitter on Thursday noting that the House of Representatives faulted the NGF for asking the federal parliament to step down the bill, saying “federal parliament does not legislate for states”.

Basiru further expressed that, “As to inquiry on what is the position of the Senate to the newspaper report on the call for suspension by Governors of the Infectious Disease Bill.

“The Senate does not act on newspaper reports. When and if a communication is received by the Senate from appropriate channel, it will be considered democratically in accordance with the procedure of the Senate and a decision taken by majority as is expected in a democracy.

“The Bill is yet to be read the second time at which stage, by Senate Orders, the principles of the Bill will be discussed and a decision taken on whether the Bill should proceed for further legislative processes.

“The governors may engage the Senators in their respective states on whatever objections they have on the Bill so that it may be taken up on their behalf by the Senators from their states during the second reading.”

InisideOjodu recalls that the NGF had through a statement asked the National Assembly to step down the Bill to allow for consultations with state government and stakeholders.

The NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi disclosed this in a statement after a virtual meeting of the governors on Wednesday.

According to the NGF Chairman, the governors expressed that for a bill of such nature to be passed by the lawmakers, the bill must create an avenue for consultations with the state governments and other stakeholders.

Fayemi noted that to this end a committee set up, comprising the Governors of Katsina, Sokoto, and Plateau States – Aminu Masari, Aminu Tambuwal, and Simon Lalong, to lead a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the proposed bill.

Part of the statement reads: “The Forum resolved that the Bill should be stepped down until an appropriate consultative process is held, including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.

“In the light of this, the Forum established a Committee comprising the Governors of Katsina, Sokoto, and Plateau to lead a consultative meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020.

“The NGF Secretariat was also mandated to comprehensively review the Bill and its implication on States.”