PDP Chieftain calls for immunity for NASS and State Assemblies Presiding Officers
Wed Jun 29, 2016 12:30:pm Politics
2K By Buchi Obichie
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, has called for an amendment of the Nigerian Constitution in order to grant immunity to the Presiding Officers of the National and state Houses of Assembly, as a means of safeguarding the nation's democracy.
While calling for constitutional amendment, Senator Owie accused President Muhammadu Buhari of following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in plotting to weaken the legislative arm of Government.
He likened the President's action to what Obasanjo planned to do until former Speaker, Umar Ghali Na' Abba, took over to stabilize the system.
Speaking on Tuesday, Senator Owie accused some of the state Houses of Assembly of being tied to the apron strings of State Government Houses, stressing that they had now become mere departments of Government Houses because of lack of immunity for presiding officers and lack of autonomy for lawmakers.
Owie stated: "Obasanjo turned the 4th Senate to a frying pan and ridiculed the proud and hardworking nation. After (Salisu)Buhari fell as Speaker of the House and Ghali Naaba took over, Obasanjo could not penetrate the House of Representatives and there was stability there. President Buhari is following the foot steps of Obasanjo in trying to rubbish the National Assembly."
While calling for constitutional amendment, Senator Owie accused President Muhammadu Buhari of following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in plotting to weaken the legislative arm of Government.
He likened the President's action to what Obasanjo planned to do until former Speaker, Umar Ghali Na' Abba, took over to stabilize the system.
Speaking on Tuesday, Senator Owie accused some of the state Houses of Assembly of being tied to the apron strings of State Government Houses, stressing that they had now become mere departments of Government Houses because of lack of immunity for presiding officers and lack of autonomy for lawmakers.
Owie stated: "Obasanjo turned the 4th Senate to a frying pan and ridiculed the proud and hardworking nation. After (Salisu)Buhari fell as Speaker of the House and Ghali Naaba took over, Obasanjo could not penetrate the House of Representatives and there was stability there. President Buhari is following the foot steps of Obasanjo in trying to rubbish the National Assembly."
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