Reps Block Bill That Will Give Nigerians Power To Sue The Government For Failure

The Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday November 24, 2021 killed off a bill that would give Nigerians the power to take the government to court for failure to provide basic necessities for its citizens. The bill was thwarted from being passed for a second reading after its sponsor, Sergius Ogun, led deliberations on it during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Aimed at modifying Section 6 of the constitution which is to allow the judiciary to entertain lawsuits from Nigerians hoping to tackle the government on administrative failures and poor governance, Ogun explained:“What this bill is basically saying is that it should be amended so that people can take the government up when they fail to deliver on some of these basic objectives to the society,” 

Another lawmaker Muhammed Monguno, in his contribution, said he endorsed the spirit of the bill, but was against implementing it. The lawmaker advised that passing the bill would create havoc as the government cannot be realistically expected to provide for all citizens always.

“If this bill is passed, it’s an invitation to chaos and anarchy. There’s no state that will guarantee, to the extent of allowing it to be justifiable, putting food on every citizen’s table, or providing health care to each and every citizen to the extent that any act of failure or neglect on the part of the government will make the government liable,’’ Monguno said.

Also, Herman Hembe another Rep member, pointed out that socialism has never worked anywhere in the world, but collapsed countries instead. Although Hembe championed for a humane government, the lawmaker said passing the amendment bill would cause all manner of issues, and collapse the system.

“The only thing that works is a system where people work and earn their keep,’’ he said.

A majority of lawmakers voted against passing the bill for a second reading when it was put to a voice vote by Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase.

Source

Pulse NG

Featured Image Source: Medium