Members of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have shown stiff opposition to the adoption report of the Conference Committee on the establishment of Nigerian Peace Corps.
It could be recalled that, both chambers of the National Assembly had last year, passed the Bill for the establishment of the Corps and mandated a conference committee to harmonize it.
While the House of Representatives adopted its own report in January, 2017, the red chamber has continued to stand down further legislative actions, owing to some high power undercurrent.
It, however, become glaring on Tuesday, when the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Bayero Nafada moved a motion that the report of the conference committee be considered, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu raised a strong objection to it.
According to Ekweremadu, a matter on Peace Corps is currently at the Court of law where the leadership of the Corps is being tried in a 90-count charge.
He said it would amount to legalising illegality if the Corps was allowed to be established.
Senators James Manager (Delta), Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), all stood against the consideration.
The move was, however, resisted by APC Senators who also took turn to push for the establishment of the Corps.
Senators Binta Masi (Adamawa), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe) and others who spoke in favour of the Corps, pointed to the fact that, it was the Police who has been fighting the Peace Corps, adding that, same drama took place when the Federal Road Safety Corps and Civil Defense were to be established.
They also canvassed for the unemployed youths who have been angling for the Corps to be established.
In his ruling, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the Bill will not be killed.
He said the fact that, some people are in court doesn’t mean the Senate would not do its job.
“We also need to relate with our brothers at the green chamber who have adopted this report earlier,” Saraki added.
The Senate, therefore, referred the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, to consult and appropriately advise the Senate on the next legislative action.
The committee is to report back to the Senate within 2 weeks.
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