Reps In A Free For All Fight

The House of Representatives session erupted into a free for all today, with at least one member injured, as 11 members of the Progressive Group, calling for the removal of the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, were suspended till the end of the legislative session.

The 11 members are demanding for investigation into allegations of corruption against its leadership. They were suspended after a motion was moved by Chile Igbauwa (PDP, Benue) and seconded by Shehu Garba Matazu (PDP, Katsina). They are also to be investigated by Ethics and Privileges Committee and will remain suspended until the investigation is concluded. The 11 members will also not collect salaries and allowances throughout the period of suspension.

Moving the suspension motion, Mr. Igbauwa relied on Order 5 (1) Sub-rules 2 and 3 of the House Rules, Order 7 sub rules 3B, C and D, Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 24 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, while moving his motion.

The suspension was preceded by rowdiness after the insistence from the Progressive Group members that Mr. Igbauwa should not proceed with the motion. In the melee that ensued, members of the Progessive Group that included Dino Melaye, Austin Nwachukwu, Bitrus Kaze, Solomon Awhinawhi, and Doris Uboh were bundled out of the chamber by the Speaker’s loyalists, who also tore their clothes. It was not clear if three other members who were originally part of the group when it gave the seven days ultimatum to resign two weeks ago, would be suspended.

House of commotion

The media aide to the Speaker, Kayode Odunaro, in a statement describing the fracas, alleged that “the rowdy session was instigated by Dino Melaye and his group.” Mr. Odunaro also alleged that a member of the group, which he referred to as the ‘Dino group’, came into the chambers with tear gas that “he was using during the fracas and was beaten and stripped naked before camera for refusing to leave the chamber after suspension.”

He added that Mr. Dino’s clothes was equally torn while a supporter of the Speaker, Mr. Igwe, had his hand dislocated by a member of the group identified as Mr. Nwanchukwu, after using a tear gas canister on him. The statement also revealed that Doris Uboh, a member of the Dino group, “collapsed in the fray and was carried out, while Independence Ogunewe escaped through the back door to escape beating”, the statement read.

The House, however, resumed after order was restored to consider a bill on custom after Mr. Bankole apologised to Nigerians for the action of some of his members.
Source: Next Newspapers – www.234next.com

35 COMMENTS

  1. The other time it was during Ette’s tenure, now is Dimeji’s. What is the exact problem in this nation? In short, all the members of the house should be suspended for now without salaries or allowances till proper investigation is carried out. Then the defaulter should be shown the way out of office immediately.

  2. This is a big shame. This is kind of leaders that are produced by the so called giant of africa. We are just weakling of africa. And we are are expecting a perm. seat in UN security council. How possible is that?

  3. This is good for nigeria. three quarter of the members were rigged in into the house. what do you expect. it is all about swollen bank account. it is obasanjos investment. carry on, go on soun. God will punish them all….

  4. U people are disgrace to nigeria,fighting in the house of rep,hw would a person hav a 95billion in his account,u people dont knw that there is a place u are coming 4,and u we go back,we lack in everything,we lack of living enviroment,we lack in education,pls consider us,let join and together proud of nigeria…

  5. This people are nothing but dishonourable members. They are in no way different from comon Area boys who would fight to finish over money. The Speaker,if truly want peace could have done something to prevent the show of shame.Are these our representatives or representative of CASH?

  6. It is rather unfortunate that those people we elected to be our representatives have lost focus. If they were truly Honorable members, i expect those involve in the alleged storm should resign. May God bless Nigeria.

  7. This are the generation of shame, both supporting Speaker and Anti. their rain of shame is about to fall cos i don’t know how we are going to convince the rest of the world that we are a peaceful country.. Bankole is not capable of controlling that seat cos he too is a shame to entire Nigerian….

  8. it is a national shame,is it not better for nigerians to stay without lawmakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    what footprint are they leaving behind for the younger ones…

  9. I encourage my kid once to watch 9pm news , but that nit I had to off the television on them.
    this things happen sometimes, disagreement to agree but not to lift finger a on fellow honorable member.
    Nigeria at 50? am proud but more work is still to be done.
    this is a shame on every NIGERIANS. we need prayers, we need a united spirit and accommodating spirit.
    if bankole is not good, then who is good?

  10. According 2 an adeage which says failure is d most opportunity 2 begin more inteligently but as 4 9geria reverse is d case i dont know why our leaders have always chosen 2 continue 2 b failing us its a great shame dat was how we celebrated 9ja@50 d other time without achieving any tin but i know a time is coming when 9geria will change for the best but mind u not with all these corrupt leaders.

  11. I am not suprised about this show of shame for as long as people of who lack morals,ethics and values for reason manipulate their way into public offices with INEC as tool of entrance,clashes such as this will not cease to come. Meanwhile,this is anoda cal on FG to review causes and restore order for sustainable democracy.

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