Reps defer motion on Immigration recruitment

For the second time in one week, the House of Representatives yesterday deferred debate on a motion that seeks to reverse President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive on fresh recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Following the March 15 stampede where 16 applicants lost their lives, Jonathan had cancelled the exercise and instituted a special committee to carry out a fresh one to be chaired by chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission.

But a motion was presented on the floor of the House last Wednesday by Rep Ahmed Idris (APC, Plateau) who said Jonathan’s directive violated the law.

“The declaration by the president without recourse to the existing Act of the National Assembly undermines the sacred doctrine of constitutionalism and the rule of law which, if allowed, may verge into dictatorship,” he said.

The prayers could not be taken as Rep Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) brought a point of order, arguing that the House had already taken a decision on the matter.

Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha called on chairman of the rules and business committee, Albert Sam Tsokwa (PDP, Taraba) to explain.

Tsokwa in his explanation said he could not recall if there was any such motion passed but pleaded with the House to give him time to cross-check his documents.

But when the motion came up for debate on the floor yesterday, it was once again deferred as some lawmakers argued that the presidential directive was just for the special committee to “assist” in conducting fresh recruitment exercise.

Rep Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) argued that the motion only captured an aspect of the Immigration Act, which favoured the prayers, saying there was need to examine it as a whole.

Consequently, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ruled that the motion be stepped down to give him time to study the Act.