The two bills were sponsored separately by Ben Murray-Bruce, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa East senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill that sought to phase out the use of petrol cars and introduce electric cars in Nigeria by the year 2035.
Also rejected was the bill that sought to open up the Nigerian citizenship to other Africans.
The two bills were sponsored separately by Ben Murray-Bruce, the lawmaker representing Bayelsa East senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Murray-Bruce, combustion cars were causing pollution and contributing to global warming and developed countries are gradually phasing them out. He said phasing out petrol cars would help fight the twin environmental menace of global warming and air pollution.
However, Senator Jibrin Barau said there was no need to make any law compelling Nigerians to use electric cars at a particular period.
He said in view of the economic strength of individual Nigerians, it would be unwise to come up with such legislation.
While kicking against the bill, Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, said it would affect Nigeria’s economy as an oil-producing country.
In the end, Murray-Bruce was advised to withdraw the bill, which he did.
On the bill to open up Nigerian citizenship to other Africans, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said Sections 25, 26 and 27 of the constitution adequately took care of that. Consequently, Senate President Bukola Saraki put it to a voice vote, and a majority of the senators voted against it.