By InfactNG
A lawmaker from Lagos state in the House of Representatives has made a loud protest over the continuous wearing of facemasks insisting Covid-19 has ended.
The lawmaker, who is representing Alimosho Federal Constituency in Lagos State, Olufemi Adebanjo, on Thursday, raised a point of order concerning privilege to say that members no longer obey the COVID-19 protocols and the House should, therefore, suspend wearing of masks in the chamber.
Adebanjo said, “I want to inform the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, concerning the masking of our faces coming into the chamber. For the past two months, I have not heard of any case of COVID in Nigeria or abroad.
“Mr Speaker, the masking has been a very painful one and the earlier the better we relax the rule that compulsorily asks honourable members to wear a mask. If you look around, you can see how many people are using the mask.
“It affects our respiratory system and our lungs. So, there is no more COVID in Nigeria, there is no more COVID abroad. I would prefer we relaxed the rule, Mr Speaker.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the session, stated that the lawmakers were bound to obey the safety protocols imposed by the Federal Government, especially through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC established by an Act promulgated by the National Assembly.
Wase said, “I want to advise that as legislators, we are supposed to be compliant with the rules set for the country, the Constitution and the Acts. It is by the leave of the House and the grace of God that we have the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and they are responsible for regulating our affairs and conduct.
“So, it is not for the Speaker to rule on their duty that has been prescribed duly by an Act of the National Assembly. I want to beg that we should continue to comply with the regulations set for our country and the world. We note your concern. Your point of order is noted.”
