President Muhammadu Buhari has declined his assent to the Peace Corp Establishment bill passed by the National Assembly last year. The President's decision was conveyed in a letter read by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday at plenary. The President in the letter cited security concerns and financial implications amongst reasons for his decision.
The bill has been widely anticipated by many Nigerians who had been trained by the Corps and are waiting for full employment. The expectation heightened after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja berated the Nigeria Police for sealing the headquarters of Peace Corps of Nigeria and denying their Commandant access to the edifice. The court had ordered the police to vacate the office.
Attempts by the Corps to resume at the office two weeks ago failed as Police operatives barred them. The Commandant of the Corps, Dickson Akoh had been in Police detention before he was released by the court.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the National Assembly could override the President veto and pass the bill into law.
