Infectious Diseases Bill: Nigerian Senate Replies Nigerian Governors

The Request of the Governors to the Nigerian Lawmakers to stop its consideration of the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020 has been responded to by representative at the upper chamber.

Reacting to the development was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru via his Twitter on Thursday night, said the National Assembly has revealed that they are yet to receive any official statements from the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) mandating them to step down the Infectious Disease Bill.

Here is Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru series of tweets on the infectious disease Bill:

Just In: Nigeria Govs Writes NASS To Suspend Infectious Diseases Bill

As to inquiry on what is the position of the Senate to the newspaper report on the call for suspension by Governors of the infectious disease bill.
1. The Senate does not act on newspaper reports. When and if a communication is received by the Senate from appropriate channel, it

— Senator Ajibola Basiru Ph.D., BL (@DrSRJ_) May 14, 2020

3. The Bill is yet to be read the Second time at which stage, by Senate Orders, the principles of the Bill will be discussed and a decision taken on whether the Bill should proceed for further legislative processes.

— Senator Ajibola Basiru Ph.D., BL (@DrSRJ_) May 14, 2020

We Understand that the House of Representatives faulted the NGF for asking the federal parliament to step down the bill, saying “federal parliament does not legislate for states”.

this online media understands that the house of representatives had asked the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) not to be misled by the “biased position” of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, over the bill to control infectious diseases. The green chamber said the governors’ demand that the bill should be suspended was informed by Tambuwal’s “personal and partisan opposition” to the emergence of the current house leadership under Femi Gbajabiamila.