SENATE: PEACE CORPS TRIUMPH OVER MOUNTING CONSPIRACY AGAINST ITS LEGALITY

By Stephen Alechenu

The Bill for an Act to give statutory backing to the already existing and functioning #PeaceCorpsofNigeria scale a major hurdle today as Senate refuses to stop its legislative business on the Bill despite pressure from some quarters. The Nigerian Senate turned down calls to stop the Bill. The resolution was reached during plenary after lawmakers in the Upper Chamber debated on the matter.

While few lawmakers were against continued legislative business on the Bill and wanted it to be stopped, Majority of the Senators at the plenary including the Senate Leader, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Lawan and the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Bukola Saraki all spoke in favour of the Bill. Senator James Manager of PDP Delta state stood against the Bill even as Senator John Enoh also of PDP strictly opposed him by pointing to the numerous benefits that awaits Nigerian youths after the passage of the Bill, he therefore supported the Bill and wants it passed immediately. "The Bill should be passed, it will serve as a means of employment for Nigerian youths," Senator Garba Binta submitted.

Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan raised a point of order and stated that the debate stages have passed hence, stopping the Bill is no longer an option. He however noted that the Bill could be delayed while the Senate is briefed properly by its Committee on Judiciary before the adoption of the Conference Committee Report.

On his part, the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki said the Senate should implore proper guidelines and consider the status of the Bill in the Green chamber. The matter was referred to Judiciary committee and is expected to report back in two weeks for final consideration before transmitting to The President and Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces for his assent.

Contrary to the erroneous reports by a section of the media that the Bill has suffered a set back during the Third Reading, it is important to note here that the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps has already scaled through the 1st, 2nd, public hearing and 3rd reading.

It would be recalled that both the Senate and House of Representatives laid the Report of the Conference Committee in January 2017, where the House adopted the Report, whereas the Senate postponed legislative action on the Report for another legislative day.

We urge the general public to be abreast with the actual position of what transpired today at the Senate. Directing the Conference Committee Report to the Senate Committee on Judiciary is simply meant to unravel some of the few controversies raised during the deliberation including the current status of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.