In this inaugural edition of Motions & Movement, we spotlight five motions that failed in the first six months of the 10th House of Representatives. Interestingly, three of these motions were raised and axed the same day on June 15, 2023.
The first six months of the 10th House of Representatives reflected an active chamber where out of all the motions considered between June and December 2023, only five were negatived, meaning they were debated but rejected.
5 out of 410 rejected motions
At first glance, the topics of the negatived motions suggest a mix of economic, geopolitical, and human capital concerns. But digging deeper, these rejections shows how the 10th House of Representatives demonstrated a cautious approach to motions with far-reaching economic, diplomatic, or political implications. With only six negatived out of 410, the House largely preferred consensus but did not shy away from blocking motions it considered impractical or sensitive.
These five negatived motions touch on a wide range of issues; oil and gas policy, international borders, youth emigration, infrastructure, economic palliatives, and forex stability painting a picture of lawmakers attempting to confront complex national challenges early in their tenure.
Interestingly, some of the sponsors of these negatived motions like Rep. Philip Agbese and Rep. Victor Abang, have continued to feature prominently in legislative activities, suggesting that setbacks in motion debates do not necessarily diminish a lawmaker’s influence or visibility.
The fact that the first three negatived motions happened on the same day June 15, 2023, also stands out, raising questions about the mood of the House during that particular plenary session.
Five dead motions whose spirits won’t die yet…
Below are the five negatived motions in the first six months of the 10th House of Representatives.
Petrol imports, Dangote refinery & NNPCL
- Motion title – Need for Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to Suspend the Issuance of Import Permit to Dangote Refinery as a Sole Importer of Petroleum Products
Sponsor: Rep. Ghali Mustapha Tijjani
Date negatived: 15/06/2023
Coming just days into the life of the 10th Assembly, this motion sought to urge the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to suspend the issuance of import permits exclusively to Dangote Refinery, raising fears of monopolisation of the petroleum downstream sector. It highlighted concerns over market distortion and the risk of entrenching a private entity’s control over the nation’s energy lifeline.
Rep. Tijjani expressed concerns about potential monopolistic practices and the implications for market competition. However, the motion was negatived, possibly due to the House’s cautious approach on a significant national investment. It is importantly to note that recently, Dangote Refinery, touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s petroleum sector has stirred concerns following reports it may sell petrol in US dollars, raising fears of “dollarisation” in Nigeria’s fuel market.
Cross River and Cameroon Territory Threats
- Motion title – Demarcation and Ceding of Danare and Biajua Communities in Boki Local Government Area in Cross River State through Pillar 113A to the Republic of Cameroon
Sponsor: Rep. Victor Bisong Abang
Date negatived: 15/06/2023
On the same day, another motion was negatived, this time focusing on the intervention in the controversial ceding of Danare and Biajua communities in Cross River to Cameroon through Pillar 113A, a fallout of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Green Tree Agreement.
The motion brought back historical issues tied to Nigeria’s border disputes and the lasting impact of the ICJ’s ruling on Bakassi. It also underscored the often overlooked struggles of border communities facing identity and territorial uncertainties.
Recall that the senate last week adopted a motion raising concerns over the alleged annexation of Nigerian territories by Cameroon, particularly in border communities in Borno State. The senate called on the federal government to urgently investigate the situation, engage Cameroon diplomatically, and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
‘Japa’ is not a national emergency
- Motion title – Need to Declare Emigration of Young Nigerians Abroad as a National Emergency
Sponsor: Rep. Philip Agbese
Date negatived: 15/06/2023
Agbese’s motion to declare the mass emigration of young Nigerians a national emergency reflected the widespread “Japa” phenomenon. It sought concrete policy actions to address the brain drain crisis.
While leading a debate on the motion, Agbese expressed great concern that, the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada portends a grave danger for Nigeria in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
Agbese’s motion captured one of the most debated socio-economic issues in the country, reflecting concerns over brain drain, economic frustration, and the future of Nigeria’s workforce. The lawmaker, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue state, has remained vocal on migration and diaspora affairs.
No palliatives for subsidy removal…yet
4. Motion title – Increased Engagement Needed for Nigerians to Select Acceptable Palliative Options After Removal of Fuel Subsidy
Sponsor: Rep. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo
Date negatived: 19/07/2023
Barely a month after the removal of fuel subsidy, this motion urged deeper citizen engagement in selecting acceptable palliative measures. Despite the public backlash over rising fuel prices, the motion was surprisingly rejected.
To date, the House of Representatives has not passed any resolution specifically urging the President Bola Tinubu administration to implement concrete and sustainable palliative measures to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Instead, the most symbolic action taken by the lawmakers was the announcement of the donation of six months of their salaries to support palliative efforts. However, details of the donation such as how the funds were managed, and the actual beneficiaries remain unclear.
Forex hike and cost of living hikes
5. Motion title – Need to Stabilise Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Rate
Sponsor: Rep. Beni Lar
Date negatived: 26/07/2023
The last of the five negatived motions came from Rep. Lar calling attention to Nigeria’s volatile foreign exchange rate and seeking urgent interventions. Given the economic ramifications of naira depreciation, the motion resonated with rising public anxiety over the cost of living, import dependency, and the challenges faced by businesses operating in a volatile forex environment. Interestingly, Rep. Lar was sacked from the House on grounds of her party’s failure to respect the order of the Jos High court to conduct ward congresses before the last general elections.
KEYWORDS & EXPLAINERS
NEGATIVED: When a motion is negatived in a legislative context, it means the motion was rejected or voted down by the majority of lawmakers present. It fails to pass and has no binding effect. Essentially, the proposal is dead and not adopted as a resolution or action by the chamber.
ADOPTED: When a motion is adopted, it means the majority of lawmakers voted in favour of it, and it has been officially approved by the legislative chamber. Once adopted, the motion becomes the formal position or decision of the house or senate and may trigger specific actions, resolutions, or directives.
RESOLUTION: These are the formal outcomes or decisions that arise after a motion is adopted.
MOTIONS & MOVEMENT is an initiative by OrderPaper that tracks motions raised by lawmakers during plenary and offers insights into the progress of resolutions by parliamentary committees.
