Nigeria not a banana republic ―Dogara

THE House of Representatives Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara on Thursday has said that Nigeria is not a banana republic but a country governed by law and order.

The House of Representatives on tackled the country’s judiciary over court injunction stopping the House public hearing on the controversy generated by ‎the refusal of the Nigerian Law School to call one of its graduands, Miss Amasa Firdausi to bar for wearing hijab.

The Speaker declared that the judiciary cannot dictate to the House how to conduct its business, saying that some people are intimidating the judiciary in order to gag the parliament.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic, it is a country been govern by law and order, as legislature it is our responsibility to make law for the good governance of the country, and in doing that we will not be intimidated by any other arms of government,” Dogara said.

The House also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee headed by the leader of the House, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila to take the issue up with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

To this end, the House resolved to write a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen to take immediate steps to ensure judges respect and preserve the sanctity and sovereignty of Parliament.

The House resolution followed a motion on breach of privilege of the House moved by Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Honourable Rasaq Atunwa.

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According to him, “in relation to both the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017, the collective privilege of this House has been breached by Justice A.I Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

The lawmaker also said that “it is indeed an ill-wind that is blowing from the judiciary. If this wanton disregard of parliament by a judge is allowed to pass unrestrained then parliament and consequently, our democracy is in serious and imminent danger.”

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Most of the lawmakers in their contributions emphasised the need to respect the separation of power enshrined in the constitution.

The Speaker who made a remark on the subject matter said that interfering with the constitutional mandate of the House and National Assembly by extension would be making a mockery of democracy.