Heated debate over national honours and a cross carpeting from PDP to APC are major highlights at House plenary today
- Reps vs Senate superiority tussle over national honours
In a heated debate that lasted for over an hour, members House of Representatives on Wednesday demanded that the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), conferred on the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas be changed to ‘Grand Commander Of the Order of the Niger’ (GCON)
The House called on President Bola Tinubu to confer on the Speaker, the title of GCON insisting that the officer of the speaker is higher than that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) who is to be conferred with GCON. It also constituted an ad-hoc committee, chaired by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, to look into the issue and report to the House within three days.
- Rep. Chris Nkwonta defects from PDP to APC
A member representing Ukwa East/West federal constituency of Abia State, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during Wednesday’s plenary session. Nkwonta’s defection was formally announced during plenary by the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas. However while reacting to the development the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki (NNPP Kano), called on the Speaker to declare Nkwonta’s seat vacant, citing the relevant constitutional provision regarding defections. In response, Speaker Abbas noted that he was aware of a faction within the PDP, hence Nkwonta’s decision.
- 3 bills for consideration stepped down by House Leader
Three bills for consideration were stepped down during committee of the whole due to late submission of the documents to the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere (APC Edo). This decision followed his complaint on not knowing the details of the report to be considered as the documents were just delivered to him. Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC Borno), said consideration of the report should be the first thing on the order paper as members drastically reduce from the chamber before the end of plenary.
However, the Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the committee of the whole said House rules have the order of the day in sequential manner, called on chairman rules and business to finetune and address this challenge especially the use of soft copies being sent earlier to honourable members.
BILLs CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in the House plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031
