There was a rowdy session at the Niger state House of Assembly as members disagreed over the sharing formula of appointments into public offices in the state.
Troubled started when Mr Ahmed Bello, member representing Agware Consistency, moved for the suspension of order 13, rule 4, paragraph 1 of the house standing order to enable for speedy passage of the state Character Commission bill.
The debate was on the second reading of a private member bill for a law to Establish the Niger State Character Commission with responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government in the state.
Bello explained that the bill which had suffered set back since the 7th and 8th assembly was deliberated extensively and passed into law but was not assented into law by the executive.
He said the bill was passed by the legislative but was returned back to the house by the executive to the house without enacting it into law
Bello noted that bill was in line with the Federal act and the constitution of Nigeria as the Federal character was concerned.
Also, Malam Shuaibu Liman, member representing Suleja Consistency, who seconded the motion, said the bill should be given an accelerated hearing and passes into law.
He said that the bill is about the Federal character formula to ensure balanced and equal sharing of opportunities to the indigent of the state.
“This bill is to correct the imbalances and inequality in sharing of political appointments, opportunities and other aspects of life that the state government provide for it’s citizens.
“Some members are in support of the bill while some are against that the bill should be stepped down because of divergent interest, ” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Yabagi Akote, member representing Gbako Consistency, moved that the bill should be suspended since it was deliberated in the 7th and 8th assembly and new members do not have adequate information on the bill and seconded by Shaba Gbare of Mokwa.
“It will be unfair to go ahead to pass the bill if the new members do not have adequate information and knowledge on the bill, ” he said.
Abdullahi Wuse, Speaker of the House, said since the house was divided, the house should go by the rules to avoid division.
He said the house should go into voting, where six members were in support of the bill and nine members against the bill.
Gfhnews report that the plenary session ended in a rowdy way as members disagreed with each other.
