A member of the House of Representatives, Olufemi Adebanjo has protested against the continuous wearing of face masks in the chamber, saying there are no more cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Olufemi Adebanjo Protest Against Wearing Face Mask
The lawmaker, who is representing Alimosho Federal Constituency in Lagos State, spoke on the floor of the house on Thursday.
According to him, there have not been cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria and abroad within the past two months, and as such, the wearing of face masks in the chamber should be stopped.
“I want to inform the national assembly, especially the house of representatives, concerning the masking of our faces coming to the chamber,” the lawmaker who was not wearing a face mask said.
“For the past two months, I have not heard of any case of COVID in Nigeria or abroad. The masking has been very painful and the earlier the better we relax the rule that compulsorily asks honourable members to wear the mask. If you look around you can see how many people are wearing the mask.
“It affects our respiratory system and our lungs. So there is no more COVID-19 in Nigeria, there is no more COVID-19 abroad.”
Responding, the deputy speaker, Idris Wase, who presided over the plenary, said it is not the national assembly that should determine when to abrogate the COVID protocol.
He said, “I want to advise, as legislators we are supposed to be compliant with rules, the constitution, the acts and we have the NCDC for regulating our affairs and conduct.
“So it is not for the speaker to rule on their duty that has been assigned to them duly by the 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. As you were speaking, I didn’t see you with the mask. I’m grateful that you have now worn the mask. Your point of order is noted.”
KanyiDaily recalls that a 32-year-old widow had recently accused a policeman of raping her all night for not wearing a face mask in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
