Some members of the House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, yesterday expressed discordant views following the presentation of the report on National Tobacco Control.
No sooner had the chairman of the committee, Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) been called to lay the “Report of the National Tobacco Regulations, 2019” before the House than a member of the Committee, Sani Abdu (APC, Kebbi), raised objection to challenge the report.
Abdu alleged that some members of the Committee, including himself, were not carried along in the proceedings of the Committee, and in the preparation of the final report.
He, therefore, urged the House to shelve the presentation of the report until all the underlying issues had been resolved to the satisfaction of all members of the committee.
Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP, Abia), however, prayed that the report be laid since disagreement is a key aspect of democracy, noting that in such a case, the majority would always have their way.
Meanwhile, submission by Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun (APC, Osun), that the dissenters be allowed to present a minority report was overruled by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara on the grounds that “conflict, compromise and consensus building” were critical elements of law-making.
The report now awaits consideration at the committee of the whole, after which the House would take a decision on the adoption of its contents, with or without amendments.
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