Infectious disease bill will trigger anarchy, insecurity, CAN kicks

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the National Assembly to discontinue the hearing on the Infectious Disease Bill, saying that the bill will create anarchy, disorder and insecurity.

CAN said the bill would violate the supremacy of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended with multiple ultra vires contraventions vide sect.1(1) and (3) of the constitution.

Addressing journalists on Thursday after the Public Hearing of the Infectious Disease Bill, the General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola said the bill will infringe and violate the rights of citizens.

“We have indeptly studied the bill and observed that if passed for implementation, it shall trigger anarchy, disorder and insecurity.

“It is “superfluous” but undermines every other authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (The President, State Governors and the likes).

It will make the Legislature that enacted the law becomes irrelevant towards implementation and control.

“If passed into law, it will violate the supremacy of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended with multiple ultra vires contraventions vide sect.1(1) and (3) of the constitution.

“The Bill is Gross infringement and multiple violations of Citizens’ Fundamental Human Rights making it Supra-Constitutional Entity.

“The Director-General NCDC will be made a “Frankenstein in Monster” with “Omnibus Powers” because he will be empowered to restrict fundamental rights and freedoms at will, in abuse of constitutionally established institutions and processes, without any form of accountability.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: How we discovered 104 positive cases in a company ― Ogun govt

CAN, however, said Nigerian Christians and Vaccination are not alien to each other. The Christian apex body said Christians are very comfortable taking vaccines, “however we vehemently oppose to such a “forced vaccine” of this nature, it should be a matter of choice.

“Fears are being expressed as they believe there exists “Conspiracy Theories” as there should be no forced vaccination of Nigerians with an added microchip under the guise of poor vaccination (Mark of the Beast) as in Revelations 11:7, Revelations 13:1-8, Revelations17:7-8 and Revelations 19:18-20”.

CAN further said the Bill is clearly anti-media, which provides for media Censorship, gagging and probably assault to a journalist (sect55(e) of the Bill).

“This is contrary to the Nigerian Press Act and Nigerian Broadcasting code furthermore it is contrary to sections 17 and 22 of the 1999 constitution. Finally, the bill is not Nigerians friendly. It is anti-people”, CAN General Secretary said.

CAN noted that the bill does not meet the basic requirement for legal enactments to meet aspirations for the common good of the citizenry.

The Christian body also said the bill violates the Supremacy of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Usurps the legal and professional powers of all other public healthcare institutions and official powers of all other public healthcare institutions and officials in favour of the Director-General, NCDC, in a manner that shall create disharmony and dysfunctionality in the healthcare services delivery.

“Violates Nigeria’s national interest and security. It is ridicule on our national security and defence architecture,” CAN added.

Barrister Daramola therefore, said “it is our conclusion that this Control of Infectious Disease Bill, 2020 (HB 836) cannot and should not stand as it is! We appeal that you discard it completely.

“Our attempt at reworking the provisions of the Bill indicates that it is irredeemable! It requires painstaking multiple stakeholders’ consultation if we must pass any meaningful law in this regard.

“Promulgation of appropriate Regulations will be more meaningful. We, therefore, implore NASS to avoid wasted efforts, save Nigeria the socio-political and religious tensions of the litigations and overburdening of the law courts by citizens to seek redress.

“Hence, Education is a very powerful tool to help many out of the woods. The National Orientation Agency should wake up to the official and social responsibilities and the government should empower them to perform by providing adequate and sufficient Human and Material resources.”

COVID-19: Senator Ndume Advocates Part-Time Status For Lawmakers, Reduction In Salary
Senator representing Borno south and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has advocated part-time status for lawmakers in the country due to the dwindling effect of COVID-19. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the lawmaker who sought for the office of Senate President last… Read full story

N2.2bn Land Scam: Deposed Emir Sanusi Appeals Judgment
The deposed Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, appealed a judgment delivered by a Federal High Court dismissing his right of fair hearing against the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. Counsels to the emir, Messrs Dikko and Mahmoud, filed the appeal on Wednesday… Read full story

Orange Juice Excellent For Tooth Disorders, Heart Diseases —Experts
THE orange contains a variety of health-promoting properties. The fruit is a rich source of protective food ingredients like vitamin A, B, C and calcium. Recent studies have proven its superiority to any other fruit as a source of calcium. The orange also contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, sulphur and chlorine… Infectious bill CAN Infectious bill CanRead full story

EDITORIAL: The Story Of Majek Fashek
BY the time he died on June 1, aged 57, Majekodunmi Faseke, or simply Majek Fashek to his distraught fans all over the world, had lived his life to full circle. Of course, he was not an old man, but he had arguably seen it all. From the low, deprived, humble beginnings of childhood and the boisterous struggling years of adolescence to the peak of prominence and global fame, then back to the ebb of existence, Majek Fashek had seen it all. Not many older persons could claim to have fumbled and tumbled through life than the man fondly referred to as the Rainmaker… Read full story

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE