More civil society organizations have risen against the contentious Infectious Diseases Bill pending before the National Assembly, a bill introduced by House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and two other lawmakers.
A coalition of 11 CSOs in Lagos on Tuesday called for the rejection of the bill, saying it is a violation of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution.
The group of 11 CSOs said at a press conference that of part of the shortcomings of the bill is its conflict with existing acts, including the Environmental Health Officers Act (2002) and the constitution of Nigeria.
The group is the latest in a long list of CSOs criticising the bill and seeking for a review of several sections of the draft.
The Control Infectious Disease Bill, which has scaled the second reading has birthed several controversies and received many criticisms from well-meaning Nigerians.
Nigeria’s 36 state governors also condemned the bill and demanded that it be stepped down, saying the bill lacks proper consultation.
As the House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has projected, the new bill will replace the Quarantine Act and address the limitations of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on curbing disease spread.
Though endorsing the bill, the sponsor, Mr Gbajabiamila said now is the perfect time to look for emergency system changes for public health.
The bill which has 82 sections was stood down at the House after it scaled the second reading. Bill’s public hearing in the House of Representatives is scheduled for June 11 and 20.
Speaking on the bill, Achike Chude, the Director of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage said that the bill is an infringement of Nigerians’ fundamental human rights, as reflected in the arbitrary power given to the NCDC DG to administer vaccinations without seeking the consent of the people concerned.
“Another area of concern is the empowering of the police to arrest people without warrant, merely on the suspicion of an infection. The unjustified and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians by the police during the various lockdowns in the country is enough indication of the danger of more powers being given to the security agents.”
Mr Chude added that the bill does not take into account the Nigerian state’s federal structure, as the NCDC Director-General has overriding jurisdiction.
He said the bill limits states’ ability to intervene in Infectious disease cases since there are no specified roles for other levels of the Federation.
“We are worried with the attempt to pass this obnoxious bill by a key democratic institution of the state, the status of the Nigerian Federation as a constitutional democracy is being questioned because of the nature, character and content of the proposed legal instrument that has all the hallmarks of a military regime whose modus operandi is the abridgement of rights of citizens, ” he said.
Speaking on the bill, legal practitioner Sonnie Ekwowusi said the proposed bill is draconian in nature and should be put to dropped.
“The provisions and sections of this bill are out to infringe on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians; Sections 4, 5, 15, 20, 35, 46, 48 and 51.”
Mr Ekwowusi said that the constitution is the country’s highest law and any legislation that clashes with the constitution is null and void, adding that the bill is dead upon arrival.
The CSOs called for the bill to be rejected during the bill ‘s forthcoming public hearing.
“The bill currently pending before the National Assembly is a vitiation of all those fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is on the basis of these that we call for a total rejection of the proposed bill in the present form and format.”
The group called on other CSOs, lawyers, medical personnel, faith-based organizations and other stakeholders to attend and reject the bill at the public hearing.