By Gloria Ikibah
Some agrieved lawmakers in the House of Representatives has staged a walkout when a bill to revert back to the old national anthem passed first, Second and third Reading on the floor of the House on Thursday at plenary.
The bill which was bot captured on the order paper for Thursday 23rd May 2024, was introduced by the Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, and immediately passed first and second reading.
The Deputy speaker who was presiding officer, allowed the reading on the bill for the first time and immediately second reading after which the sponsor Rep. Ihonbvere was allowed to commence debate on the bill.
The House Leader in his debate said the words of the old national anthem speaks another about the people that Nigerians are and that going back to it will bring back the unity once shared irrespective of tribal difference.
But the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda believes that going back to the old national anthem would be going backwards and not a progression for Nigeria.
He said: “For every law, there must be a clear cut spirit behind it. The reason for the nation anthem is Tradition, history, belief of the nation and its people.
“What does the old national anthem remind us of? History dtae back to colonialism.
“Is it any important to our national life, what value will it add to us?
“I stand to say I oppose it and pray we look at it collective take a look at it”.
When put to a vote by the Deputy Speaker, the Nays was very loud thatvthe yeah but the presiding officer ruled in favour of the Bill and immediately a motion was moved and the House went into the committee of the whole to do the 3rd reading.
Upon the passage of the Bill for second d reading some lawmakers who felt agrieved that despite the votes where the Nay were to have it.
Details later….