Reps reject bill seeking to establish south-east commission

The house of reps has rejected a bill seeking the establishment of the South-East Development Commission.

The house rejected the bill after it was put to a voice vote by Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.
Some of the lawmakers who contributed to the debate, said the timing of the bill was not right and adequate consultations were not made before it was brought to the house.

The house of representatives has rejected a bill seeking for the establishment of the south-east development commission.
The house rejected the bill after it was put to a voice vote by Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.
Some of the lawmakers who contributed to the debate said the timing of the bill was not right and adequate consultations were not done before it was brought before the house.

Earlier, Leo Ogor, minority leader of the house, while contributing to the debate, said the bill was a step in the right direction.
“This country needs to be restructured. We cannot continue the way we are going,” Ogor said.
“The bill is a good step in the right direction. I appeal with all that the bill be considered.”

On his part, Sani Abdul, a lawmaker from Bauchi state, said the agitation to create the commission is as a result government’s failure to its citizens.
“We should look at it holistically in other not to have a problem. We are worried about the timing of the bill. This is suspicious because it is coming during the agitation for Biafra.”

Sunday Karimi, a lawmaker from Kogi, said some of the south-east states were already captured in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the creation of a south-east “will be too much.”

Sani Zorro, a lawmaker from Adamawa, said not much consultation had gone into bill.
“I won’t be comfortable that at the end of the day we leave here with acrimony. In view of the debate we have had so far we should consult further.”

The lawmakers in support of the bill stood their ground but they lost out after the vote.