…Cites section 58 of 1999 constitution
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined assent to the NDLEA establishment bill. In a letter read at plenary on Thursday by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the President said he was declining assent in accordance with the provisions of section 58 of the 1999 constitution.
He said the amendment to the bill is seeking to allow the agency to keep a percentage of the proceed of drug crime for its operations, adding that this was in conflict with the provisions of the law which provides that all proceeds of crime be paid into a dedicated account.
According to him, only the President is allowed by law to order withdrawing from such account with the approval of the National Assembly which tends to promote the spirit of accountability and mutual respect between the Executive and the Legislature.
Also at plenary, another member of the Labour Party from Enugu state, Sam Atu announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress, citing the prolonged leadership crisis in the party for his action.
Atu, in a letter read at plenary by the Speaker he decided to dump the Labour Party after a holistic consultation with his constituents and stakeholders.
He said the persistent crisis both at the state and national level of the party has resulted in the inability to offer constructive representation to his people.
He said he decided to pitch tent with the APC APC and cue into the renewed hope agenda of the President in view of the determination of the President to develop the South East as exemplified by the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa JC asked the Speaker to declare the seat of the lawmaker vacant, alleging that his defection contravene section 68(1g) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
