The House of Representatives is set to debate a motion this week seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued by Udora Orizu, Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the decision followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, after a point of order was raised by Rep. Obi Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency.
Aguocha, citing Order 6 Rule 2 on matters of privilege, expressed concern that he had yet to receive a response to his letter to the House leadership and the Federal Government, calling for urgent medical attention for Kanu, whose health is reportedly deteriorating.
In response, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas advised Aguocha to step down the motion and present it properly on another legislative day, as it was raised under the wrong House rules.
Corroborating the Speaker’s position, Deputy Speaker Kalu, who also hails from Abia State, acknowledged the importance of the issue and assured the House that the motion would be presented formally before the week’s end.
“Mr Speaker, I’m also from Abia State. On the issue raised by my colleague, we will present it properly before the House during the course of the week so that it receives due consideration,” Kalu said.
Speaker Abbas, while affirming his willingness to grant the motion full attention once properly presented, clarified that his concern was procedural and not about the substance of the matter.