The Senate on Tuesday put off consideration of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin’s agriculture bill after lawmakers objected to its broad scope and complained they had not received printed copies.
Channels Television reported from the debate that senators challenged the handling of the proposal, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio backing calls to step it down.
The decision leaves the proposed changes to agricultural financing, irrigation and mechanisation awaiting further consideration, rather than approved as law.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, said lawmakers needed copies to make informed contributions. He also urged the sponsor to improve the proposal before bringing it back.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North, argued that agriculture was too broad for a single piece of legislation and called for closer scrutiny of its provisions.
Senate Leader Mohammed Monguno, who moved the bill on Barau’s behalf, said it had been gazetted, uploaded to the Senate’s digital platform and circulated to senators’ offices. Akpabio ruled that printed copies must go to all senators.
Punch reported that Barau withdrew the bill after the objections. Akpabio confirmed that consideration had been deferred.
No date for its return was given in the reports.
Sources: Channels Television; Punch
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