A new Bill sponsored to solicit for the creation of the Armed Forces Service Commission has caused a commotion in the Senate.
The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to give effect to Section 219 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the establishment of the Armed Forces Service Commission and for other related matters, 2021” was sponsored by Senator ENYINNAYA ABARIBE from Abia South.
As soon as the debate for the second reading of the Bill commenced, it degenerated into confusion.
While supporters of the Bill argued that it was merely to give effect to a constitutional provision that empowers the National Assembly to create the Armed Forces Service Commission, APC Senators in their contribution said that the Bill was targeted at whittling down the powers of the President.
Confusion arose when Senate President AHMAD LAWAN put the Bill to a voice vote and ruled that the “nays” had the day, meaning that the Bill cannot be read for a second time.
The sponsor of the Bill, ABARIBE, and those who supported the Bill however disagreed with the ruling of the Senate President and called for a division of the Senate to allow for transparent voting.
This disagreement by ABARIBE was interpreted by some lawmakers as challenging the ruling of the Senate President on the matter.
The Senate later went into a closed-door session, after which Senate President AHMED LAWAN said the entire Senate has appealed to the Minority Leader, Senator ABARIBE to withdraw Order 73 which called for a division. Senator ABARIBE then withdrew the bill to represent it another day.
