Strong indications emerged on Wednesday that the controversial Grazing Reserves Bill might be killed in the Senate, as attempts to pass it for Second Reading suffered setback.
But for the quick intervention of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Upper Chamber would have been thrown into confusion as proponents and opponents of the bills were prepared to engage in altercation.
Three related bills separately sponsored by Rabiu Kwankwaso, Barnabas Gemade and Chukwuka Utazi were enlisted on the Senate’s Order Paper to be debated and passed for Committee Stage.
Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, first read the three bills and suggested that since they were related, they should be harmonised and presented as one bill before consideration.
But Gemade disagreed, urging the Senate to allow the three bills to be presented separately so that senators could treat them individually on their merits.
On sensing the charged atmosphere, Saraki said there was need to put the bills on hold.
The bill on Grazing Reserves has split the Senate along southern and northern divides.
While the lawmakers from the North are championing the legislation to secure grazing areas all over the country for the herdsmen, their southern counterparts are vehemently opposed to this course.
