Reps move to override Buhari on Peace Corps bill

The house of representatives has resolved to take another look at the Peace Corps bill and 21 other bills which President Muhammadu Buhari did not assent to.

The resolution of the lower legislative chamber was sequel to a motion moved by Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, chairman of the committee on public petition, on Thursday.

While moving his point of order, the lawmaker complained that the bills in question were not signed or returned to national assembly by the president.

Once the president refuses to sign a bill, he is expected to communicate his reason to the national assembly within 30 days according to the constitution.

But the Abia lawmaker said even in the event the president withhold his assent to any bill, the national assembly may accept his reasons or override him.

He prayed that section 58 of the constitution be invoked in respect of the rejected bills.

“Section 58 (5) [states that] where the president withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each house by two-third majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the president shall not be required,” Nkem-Abonta said.

Thereafter, Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, directed Emmanuel Oker-Jev, chairman of the rules and business, committee to draw up a list of the said bills.

Dogara also said the president has always communicated his reason for not signing legislation into law.

The latest bill rejected by Buhari is the Peace Corps bill. The president cited security concerns and financial burden of funding the organisation by the government as his reasons for rejecting the bill.

On Wednesday, Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi west senatorial district, asked the senate to override Buhari on Peace Corps bill