House of Reps throws out fresh bill seeking for Biafra referendum


The Federal House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking for the conducting of a referendum over the creation of a separate Biafran state from the current geography of Nigeria on Wednesday 5th October 2016.

According to the official House report,
Following the agitation for restructuring of the country and outright secession by Biafra, the House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a fresh bid for the convocation of a national conference and a referendum where a new constitution for the country would be approved by Nigerians.

The Senate and the House are currently in the process of further amending the 1999 Constitution.

However, a member from Rivers State, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, and another lawmaker from Edo State, Mr. Peter Akpatason, introduced a bill on Wednesday seeking to provide for the convocation of a national conference.

Chinda is a Peoples Democratic Party’s legislator, while Akpatason is a member of the All Progressives Congress.

The long title of the bill read, “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Convocation of National Conference for the People of Nigeria for the Purpose of Discussing and Adopting a New Constitution to be submitted for Consideration and Approval at a Referendum and for other Purposes Connected therewith.”

But, the House, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, did not allow the bill go far before it was rejected.

It said any procedure for amending the constitution that was either in conflict with the constitution or did not comply with the extant provisions for the amendment of the constitution was “illegal.”

The House position was highlighted by the Chairman, Committee on Rules/Business, Mr. Orker Jev. He raised a point of order to oppose the bill.

Jev said Section 1 of the constitution held the constitution to be the “supreme” law of the land, which was also binding on all Nigerians.

“Any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution automatically becomes null and void,” he stated.

Jev also argued that Section 9 of the constitution made clear provisions on how to amend it.

He added that the constitution did not include a referendum for the purpose of amending it.

“Any other thing other procedure is illegal.

“You cannot bring a bill here to amend the constitution,” Jev told the House.

Dogara quickly concurred with Jev before he rammed his gavel to rule out the bill.

Meanwhile, the House called for improved welfare for teachers in the country on Wednesday as they marked the 2016 World Teachers’ Day.

Many lawmakers suggested a separate salary structure for teachers and the provision of training facilities in schools

Omoakinsuyi:
Biafra is dead. Anyone still talking about it needs to have his brain checked

EternalTruths:
Where are the Afonjas asking Igbos to go to the National Assembly to seek a referendum.


Can they now see why Kanu called Nigeria a Z.....

Can they now see why IPOB has not wasted its time going to the National Assembly.

EternalTruths:
Where are the Afonjas asking Igbos to go to the National Assembly to seek a referendum.


Can they now see why Kanu called Nigeria a Z.....

Can they now see why IPOB has not wasted its time going to the National Assembly.

CHIJIOKE1314:
Biafra was never mentioned.. .

The bill was never about Biafra..
The referendum was never for Biafra, it was for the constitutional amendment being proposed..

This criminal blogger simply snuck in Biafra name out of hard biting economic downturn that has introduced hunger ravaging trauma to his brain..

People should ignore him.

CHIJIOKE1314:
Biafra was never mentioned.. .

The bill was never about Biafra..
The referendum was never for Biafra, it was for the constitutional amendment being proposed..

This criminal blogger simply snuck in Biafra name out of hard biting economic downturn that has introduced hunger ravaging trauma to his brain..

People should ignore him.

CHIJIOKE1314:
Biafra was never mentioned.. .

The bill was never about Biafra..
The referendum was never for Biafra, it was for the constitutional amendment being proposed..

This criminal blogger simply snuck in Biafra name out of hard biting economic downturn that has introduced hunger ravaging trauma to his brain..

People should ignore him.

seunmsg:


The house of reps just killed the hope for any referendum on Biafra and you are here shouting Afonja again. What concerns Afonja with the failed bill? Go and fight Dogara and other rep members that killed the bill and stop shouting afonja upandawn.

CHIJIOKE1314:
Biafra was never mentioned.. .

The bill was never about Biafra..
The referendum was never for Biafra, it was for the constitutional amendment being proposed..

This criminal blogger simply snuck in Biafra name out of hard biting economic downturn that has introduced hunger ravaging trauma to his brain..

People should ignore him.

seunmsg:


The house of reps just killed the hope for any referendum on Biafra and you are here shouting Afonja again. What concerns Afonja with the failed bill? Go and fight Dogara and other rep members that killed the bill and stop shouting afonja upandawn.

coolitempa:
Stupid article...ipod and lies be like rice and beans....

Brooklynsouth:
Mrvitalis have you seen now that you useless. Contribution about taking our plight to NA for consideration is useless if I call yoruba now you go begin claim mbaise living in PH you see you life

seunmsg:


The house of reps just killed the hope for any referendum on Biafra and you are here shouting Afonja again. What concerns Afonja with the failed bill? Go and fight Dogara and other rep members that killed the bill and stop shouting afonja upandawn.

Omoakinsuyi:
Biafra is dead. Anyone still talking about it needs to have his brain checked

EternalTruths:



Guess his tribe

mrvitalis:

This was not about Biafra even
Lol this is politics... u just expect them to accept this? ? U build support for ur bill by campaigning for it.. . This is politics my friend.. Lobbying is allowed use it

Brooklynsouth:
thank God ipob did not take their plea to NA cos its a waste of. Time