A bill that seeks to create an Armed Forces Commission generated controversy on Wednesday in the Senate.
The stage for controversy was set by the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe when he presented the lead debate of a bill for the Establishment of the Armed Forces Commission 2021 for second reading.
The lawmakers were sharply divided over the bill as those against it argued that it would cause more disunity in the country.
Senator Abaribe, however, said that the constitution mandated the National Assembly to set up the commission.
The lawmaker noted that the bill “seeks to among other things, address the ‘lopsided appointment’ of heads of security agencies by the president.”
The bill was later rejected in a voice vote and Senator Abaribe called for a division – that is lawmakers should vote individually.
The Senate later went into a closed-door session.
After the closed-door session, Senate President Ahmed Lawan said the entire Senate had appealed to the Minority Leader, Senator Abaribe to withdraw Order 73, which called for a division.
Senator Abaribe thereafter withdrew the bill.
He is at liberty to represent it another legislative after due consultation with the leadership of the Senate and his colleagues in the Senate.
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