Dare Babalola
A heated plenary session of the House of Representatives erupted into chaos on Tuesday as lawmakers voted down several motions of urgent public importance.
The rejected motions sought to address pressing issues concerning the protection of lives and key government assets.
The proceedings quickly turned rowdy as members expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the intense debate and disagreement that characterized the session.
The session, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, was dissolved into a closed-door session to restore order.
The controversy began when Ademorin Kuye, the member representing Somolu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, raised a motion that drew the attention of his colleagues to the alleged illegal allocation of land within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. He urged the House to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Assets for a thorough investigation.
Kuye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, currently chairs the House Committee on Public Assets.
Delta lawmaker Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, proposed an amendment to the motion, arguing that while the issue at hand is indeed urgent, the Committee on Commerce, rather than Public Assets, should handle the investigation.
Waive was supported by Akwa Ibom lawmaker, Mark Esset, who argued that “It is the Committee on Commerce that should take responsibility on this matter.”
Meanwhile, Yusuf Gagdi, the representative of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in Plateau State, threw his weight behind Kuye, arguing that the Public Assets Committee was the appropriate body to investigate the alleged illegal land sale and present a report to the House.
With no end to the back-and-forth argument in sight, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) on the advice of Kalu, proposed the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of both Committees (Public Assets and Commerce) to conduct the probe.
When subjected to a voice vote, almost an equal number of lawmakers voted in support and against the motion.
Not sure whose voices were louder, Kalu gave it to the nays, sparking unrest in the chamber.
Next on the order of urgent motions was Mohammed Bio representing Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency, Kwara State.
Bio who lamented the worsening security situation in his constituency, prayed the House to urge the military to establish a base in the crisis-prone areas to stem the tides of attacks.
This time, more lawmakers voted against the motion, to the surprise of Kalu and the Kwara lawmaker.
It became clear to Kalu that members had resolved to frustrate the day’s session owing to the rejection of Kuye’s motion.
When voices rose against Ayodeji Alao-Akala’s motion, which drew attention to Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by US President Donald Trump, Kalu allowed the motion to pass, prompting members to openly oppose the decision.
Voices of dissent rent the chambers and the plenary was suspended for a closed-door session.
