A Principal Officer of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, said on the floor of the red chamber on Wednesday that Nigeria lacked the moral standing to condemn the recent killing of an African-American, George Floyd.
Floyd was recently murdered by the Police in Minneapolis, the United States in broad daylight.
Bwacha, who is the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, said he decided to bring up the issue under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, so that it would not require a debate where the act would probably be condemned.
He said the murder had attracted a global protest against racism which was ignited from the action of a racist police in Mineapolis.
The senator from Taraba State said Nigeria was also grappling with its ethnic and religious motivated killings.
He said, “We are all aware of what followed the wicked despicable manner with which the life of George Floyd was taken from this world.
“This singular incident, Mr President, ordinarily would have generated debates even in this chamber. Meaning, I would have invoked Order 52 to enable us debate this matter.
“My decision not to bring up the matter for consideration was due to the fact that Nigeria lacks the moral standing to condemn the killing of Mr Floyd.
“The country presently grapples with its own problems of killings arising from ethnic and religious discrimination.
Bwacha was countered by his colleague, Senator Adamu Aliero, from Kebbi State, who also relied on Order 43 on personal explanation.
Aliero craved the indulgence of the Senate not to entertain any matter that may spark unnecessary controversy within the chamber, and by extension, Nigeria.
Bwacha, nevertheless, insisted that the reason for bringing up the death of George Floyd was to remind Nigerians on the need to work on all associated problems that are spin-offs from the country’s diversity.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, called on leaders in the country to take advantage of the country’s diversity to wield the required strength to foster unity, peace and development.
Lawan said, “We should ensure as leaders that we use and weave this diversity into strength, and that is trying to provide leadership regardless of geographical, ethnic and religious differences.
“Many of our leaders are trying to do that, so I think you tried to deviate a little bit and it almost turned controversial.
