The Senate said it has not received official communication from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to step down the legislation of the Infectious Diseases Bill.
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.