Reps block lawmaker's move to revisit amended CCT Act

A move led by

According to a report by TheCable, the move by the house leader to revisit the amendment, which was passed by both chambers of the national assembly suffered a setback on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the house leader, had asked for a suspension of the rules of the house in order to revisit the amendment.

Making a case for his submission, Gbajabiamila had cited section 1 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, saying the constitution prevailed over any ambiguity in any act especially as the senate is trying to harmonise the CCT Act.

In his words: “The house has been a house of the people and we have never been detached from the opinions of the public.

“It is not under your speakership or our membership that the house will lose its integrity. When we discovered that the clauses are infractions to the constitution we should put our breaks and reconsider it,” he said

However, his submission was short-lived as Kingsley Chinda from Rivers state, moved a point of order, saying that it was impossible to revisit a resolution passed by house and concurred by the senate, except the right processes were followed.

Chinda was supported by Plateau State rep, Edward Pwajock, who said the matter ought to be put on notice before the motion comes up on the floor of the house.

Ruling on the matter, Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, said: “It should be fixed on notice so everyone will be prepared and we will have ample time for it. For us to suspend it like this would look like an ambush.”

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The national assembly passed 14 amendments to the Act. The major highlight was stripping the president of the powers he had over the CCB and CCT.