The House of Representatives has faulted the Nigerian Governors ’ Forum for asking the federal parliament to step down the controversial Quarantine Act ( Repeal and Enactment ) Bill 2020 .

The NGF had earlier on Wednesday asked the House to withdraw the bill and engage stakeholders on formulation of a popular one .

Reacting to the call , Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs , Mr Benjamin Kalu , in a statement , stated that the federal parliament does not legislative for states .

The statement partly read , “ It has come to the attention of the House that the NGF has , through a communiqué at the end of its virtual meeting held on Wednesday , May 13 , 2020 , asked the House to step down the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill , 2020 , which public hearing is already scheduled.

“ In the communiqué , the NGF noted that , ‘ Following an update from the Governor of Sokoto State and Vice Chairman of the NGF, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal , on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020 , introduced by the House, governors raised concern with the lack of consultation with State governments who are at the forefront of the epidemic . ’

“ The NGF said it ‘ resolved that the bill should be stepped down until an appropriate consultative process is held , including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns. ”
Kalu stated that contrary to the impression given in the NGF’ s communiqué , the House had since subject the bill to a public hearing, where Nigerians from all walks of life would have the opportunity to make their inputs towards the draft legislation .

“ The NGF’ s position is coming rather belatedly , ” he stated .

The statement further read , “ However , the House wishes to state clearly that whilst it legislates for the Federal Republic of Nigeria , including being the parliament for the Federal Capital Territory Abuja only , the NGF is recognised by members of the House as leading lights in the task of nation building .

“ It is rather surprising that the NGF , in arriving at its decision, relied on ‘ an update from the Governor of Sokoto State ’ who , apart from being a lawyer , is a former Speaker and an ex – ranking member of the House, who should know better and guide the forum accordingly. We assume that his position was informed by his well -known personal and partisan opposition to the emergence of the current leadership of the House, considering his obvious stance in 2015 and 2019 .

“ Unlike in a constitution amendment matter where state Houses of Assembly have a defined constitutional role to play in effecting any review to it, bills such as the Control of Infectious Diseases are not by our constitution , subject of concurrence of state Houses of Assembly or state governors . We do believe that our respected governors are aware of this lawful processes of legislation and should not be misguided by a biased position of a former speaker . ”

Kalu added , “ Let it be known that the House, and indeed the National Assembly , are independent of the control of any state governor or former speaker , except if we want to change that now . Even at that , it has to be by a constitutional amendment sponsored by the citizens and not by the personal view of one governor and former speaker .