Again, house of reps passes peace corps bill

The house of representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps.

The bill, which is sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker; Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader, and others, passed the third reading at plenary on Thursday.

The green chamber carried out the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on Wednesday after Ihonvbere presented a report.

The bill dates back to the 8th national assembly and was trailed by controversies at the time.

In 2017, the police alleged that “terrorist affiliates” had infiltrated the corps to “destroy the existing peace currently being enjoyed in the country”.

The bill also received stiff opposition from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In 2018, when former President Muhammadu Buhari rejected the bill, he cited security concerns and the financial burden of funding the organisation.

Again, the bill was passed in the 9th assembly and sent to Buhari in April 2023, but the ex-president did not approve the proposed legislation before he left office.

President Bola Tinubu refrained from signing the bill upon assuming office until the adjournment of the 9th assembly. By June 13, 2023, when a new assembly was inaugurated, the bill had become statute barred.

The bill will be forwarded to the senate for concurrence.