TheCable

A move to revisit the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Tribunal amendment passed by both chambers of the national assembly suffered a setback in the house of representatives, on Tuesday.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the house leader, had asked for a suspension of the rules of the house in order to revisit the amendment.

Citing section 1 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, Gbajabiamila said the constitution prevailed over any ambiguity in any act especially as the senate is trying to harmonise the CCT Act.

“The house has been a house of the people and we have never been detached from the opinions of the public,” he said.

“It is not under your speakership or our membership that the house will lose its integrity. When we discovered that the clauses are infractions to the constitution we should put our breaks and reconsider it.”

At this point, Kingsley Chinda from Rivers state, moved a point of order, saying that it was impossible to revisit a resolution passed by house and concurred by the senate, except the right processes were followed.

Also speaking, Edward Pwajock from Plateau state, said the matter ought to be put on notice before the motion comes up on the floor of the house.

While ruling on the matter, Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, said: “It should be fixed on notice so everyone will be prepared and we will have ample time for it. For us to suspend it like this would look like an ambush.”

Gbajabiamiala had expressed strong opposition to the amendment, making his position known on Twitter.

apologies. CCT Bill 1of many Bills passed in the House . we dropped the ball on this one definetly and hope we may be able to recall it.

— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) October 31, 2016

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The national assembly passed 14 amendments to the Act. The major highlight was stripping the president of the powers he had over the CCB and CCT.