Rowdy session at House of Representatives following debate on bill to introduce immunity for National Assembly leaders

It was a rowdy session at the House of Representatives today after a bill seeking to provide immunity for the leadership of the National Assembly while in office, was introduced. The bill which is being sponsored by Leo Ogor, the minority leader of the house, is proposing an amendment to section 308 of the Nigerian constitution to allow the national assembly leadership enjoy immunity while in office. Presenting the bill to members of the house, Ogor said;

"The amendment is straight forward but it needs some clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the national assembly. The leadership should be protected in the period they are in office.”

His opinion was immediately countered by the majority leader of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, who argued that since the Senate was presently having some issues, discussing a bill on immunity clause for National Assembly members is ill timed.

“We must feel the pulse of the people. There is something about timing, timing in any piece of legislation is important. There are issues in the senate and I pray it’s resolved.”he said

At this point the house became rowdy. After calm was restored, the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, said the bill would be sent to the special committee on constitutional review for proper scrutiny. He however passed the bill for second reading.