Reps kill bill seeking to hold Govt accountable

The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted against a proposed bill seeking to hold the government accountable for the negligence of its constitutional responsibility to the people.

The bill in its general principles argued that “the primary responsibility of government to its citizens is the provision of basic amenities to ease their living conditions, as well as ensure their safety and that of their properties.

“And where this responsibility is lacking from government, a citizen should demand justice in a court of competent jurisdiction”, the bill sponsored by Hon. Sergiuos Ogun (PDP, Edo), added.

Supporting the proposed bill, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), who argued on the rights of the citizen to seek justice whenever government fails to protect his constitutional rights, noted that “every aspiring public officer must imbibe this basic responsibility before accepting to serve the people.”

But other lawmakers saw the bill differently, expressing fear that it will open the flood gate of litigations that could distract the government.

The bill was rejected by a narrow merging when it was put to a voice vote by the presiding Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase at plenary.

(Daily Independent)