Following the speedy passage of the Control of Infectious Diseases bill to second reading on 30 April, by the House of Representatives, an action which has generated a lot of controversies, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged that “a sum of $10 million was offered by the American Computer Czar, Bill Gates to influence the speedy passage of the bill without recourse to legislative public”.
The CUPP in a statement on Monday, alleged that it got a human intelligence report that the Nigeria House of Representatives leadership was set to impose the passage of the compulsory vaccine bill without subjecting it to the traditions of legislative proceedings.
The spokesperson of the opposition political parties, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, in a statement on Monday, said the body urged lawmakers in the lower chamber to rise against impunity.
The statement reads:
“Opposition Coalition (CUPP) has intercepted very credible intelligence and hereby alerts Nigerians of plans by the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Femi Gbajabiamila to forcefully and without adherence to the rules of lawmaking to pass the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill 2020 otherwise known as the Compulsory Vaccination Bill which is proposing a compulsory vaccination of all Nigerians even when the vaccines have not been discovered.
“This intelligence is coupled with the information of the alleged receipt, from sources outside the country but very interested in the Bill, of the sum of $10 million by the sponsors and promoters of the Bill to distribute among lawmakers to ensure a smooth passage of the Bill.
“This will manifest in a wishy-washy public hearing which the promoters still insist on cancelling under the pretext of containment of the spread of the coronavirus. The intelligence is that the House will under whatever guise pass the Bill tomorrow 5th May, 2020 upon resumption.
“The Nigeria opposition rejects the Bill and urges opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives to confront the Speaker of the House with these facts tomorrow at plenary and resist every plan to illegally pass the Bill.
Meanwhile the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has described the bill as wrongly timed, saying the is association is still looking into it.
According to the NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, :“Although we have heard a lot of stories about this so-called bill, all I can tell you is that we are still studying it. In fact, the NMA has referred it to the Chairman of Medical Legislation and have not heard from him yet,” he said.
The Lagos Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Tunji Akintade, in a recent report said the hasty passage of NCDC/vaccination bill through 1st & 2nd reading by Speaker Gbaja & some colleagues is suspicious.
Other concerned Nigerians have also aired their views on the development, as they took to their Twitter handles to vent their anger against situation.
Solomon Nwogu tweeted: “This is becoming to wove round the Bill Gate’s serious intention to bring his ungodly Vaccines”. @SolomonNwogu.
Grace John also said: “Bill Gates offered House of Reps $10m bribe for speedy passage of compulsory vaccine bill –CUPP alleges”. God exposed Bill gates foundation, NCDC and reps.
How can reps passed 1st & 2nd reading in ONE DAY?APC govt sold Nigerians to the devil. 76 in Lagos?” @onyiforlife
“#WeOppose I personally oppose the passage of the new NCDC bill without deliberation by the relevant house committees and most importantly it should be subjected to public hearing as enshrined in the 1999 constitution amendment.@adetonaoginni
