Reps in rowdy session as lawmaker opposes establishment of FedPoly

The member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta state, Rep Ossai Nicholas Ossai on Thursday opposed the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Orogun, Delta state, insisting that doing so will be against the principles of federal character as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.

The bill which was passed by the Senate and sent to the House for concorances came up for second reading on the floor of the House, but Ossai said for such a bill to pass through the House, it must be anchored on the provisions of the constitution.

He cited several sections of the constitution dealing with federal character to back his opposition to the bill.

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But Rep Sada Soli drew the attention of the House to its standing order which stipulate when a bill comes up for second reading, members can only speak on the merit and demerit as well as the general principles of the bill.

He said the stand of Rep. Ossai has nothing to do with either the merit and demerit of the bill or the general principles of the bill.

But Rep Ossai insisted that before a bill is brought to the floor for debate, it must align with the constitution, adding that the foundation of the bill was faulty as it is not based on the principles of equity.

He said the bill wants to site a federal polytechnic in Ologun located in a part of Delta state that already has a federal university, the Delta state University and a state owned Polytechnic, adding that doing so does not amount to equity.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase who presided over plenary insisted that what the Lawmaker was saying wasniutside the merit and demerit of the bill and therefore ruled him out of order, asking him to sit down.

But Rep. Ossai would not have be cowed easily, insisting on making his point, but the Deputy Speaker would not allow him, while putting it to vote for that bill to be read a second time.

Ossai protested, leading to rowdiness on the floor of the House, while some members went to pacify him.

He however stormed out of the House without paying compliment to the Presiding Officer as stipulated by the House Rules.