Ebun Francis|
The house of representatives on Thursday failed to override President Buhari’s veto of the Peace Corps bill, despite their vow to override the President.
The bill earlier passed by both chambers of the national assembly but was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The attempt to override the President on the bill failed after it was put to a voice vote by the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara.
Earlier, Emmanuel Oker-Jev, sponsor of the bill, said the services of the corps would compliment the activities of other security agencies in the country.
He argued, “Apart from the jobs that would be created through the establishment of Peace Corps, it will compliment the activities of other security agencies like police and Civil Defence to maintain law and order in the country.”
Oker-Jev’s position was supported by Rimande Shawulu from Taraba state.
In opposing the bill, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, a lawmaker from Delta, said that for the first time he is aligning with President Buhari and called on fellow lawmakers to reject the bill.
Ossai said, “At least for the first time, I am praising Mr. President.”
“The rejection by Mr. President gives us the opportunity to redeem ourselves for passing the bill in the first place.”