House of Representatives turns rowdy as lawmakers clash over urgent motions on land, security, and Nigeria’s US designation, forcing a closed-door session.
The House of Representatives descended into chaos on Tuesday after lawmakers clashed over several motions of urgent public importance concerning security and the management of government assets.
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The session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, became heated after members voted against motions raised by their colleagues, prompting a rowdy scene and eventual suspension of plenary for a closed-door session.
Tension first erupted when Ademorin Kuye (APC, Somolu, Lagos), who chairs the House Committee on Public Assets, raised alarm over alleged illegal allocation of land within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. Kuye urged the House to refer the matter to his committee for investigation.
However, Francis Waive (Delta), Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, opposed the request, arguing that the Committee on Commerce was the appropriate body to handle the issue. He received backing from Mark Esset (Akwa Ibom), while Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau) supported Kuye’s position.
As the debate intensified, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) proposed an ad hoc committee combining both committees to probe the allegation.
But when the motion was subjected to a voice vote, the chamber split almost evenly. Unable to determine which side had more voices, Kalu ruled in favour of the nays, igniting uproar among the lawmakers.
The commotion worsened when Mohammed Bio (Kwara) moved another urgent motion urging the military to establish a base in violence-prone areas of his constituency. To the surprise of many, members again voted against it, heightening tensions.
Sensing a coordinated attempt to frustrate proceedings, Kalu struggled to maintain control as lawmakers reacted angrily. Matters reached boiling point when Ayodeji Alao-Akala (Oyo) presented a motion urging deliberation on Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the US. When Kalu allowed the motion to pass, the chamber erupted once more.
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Shouts of dissent filled the floor, forcing the Deputy Speaker to suspend plenary and call a closed-door session to restore order.
