Rowdy session as reps bicker over panel to probe Lagos trade fair land allocations

The house of representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Tuesday after lawmakers rejected a motion on land allocations at the Lagos International Trade Fair complex.

Ademorin Kuye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Shomolu federal constituency of Lagos, had moved a motion on the alleged illegal allocation of federal government lands within the complex.

He prayed the house to refer the matter to the committee on public assets for investigation.

Francis Waive, chairman of the house committee on rules and business, moved an amendment that the motion should be handled by the committee on commerce, not public assets.

Mark Esset, an Akwa Ibom lawmaker, supported Waive’s proposal.

Yusuf Gagdi, who represents the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency of Plateau state, backed Kuye’s position, adding that the committee on public assets should be allowed to lead the investigation.

With the disagreement showing no signs of abating, Gbefwi Gaza, lawmakers from Nasarawa, acting on Kalu’s advice, proposed the creation of an ad hoc committee drawn from both the public assets and commerce committees to carry out the investigation.

Kalu put the amendment to a voice vote and the “nays” were louder than the “ayes”. The presiding officer ruled in favour of the majority. 

The decision infuriated the lawmakers, who erupted in protest and rejected all subsequent motions.

Among the motions rejected was one seeking the establishment of a military base in the Baruten/Kaima federal constituency of Kwara state to curb rising insecurity in the area.

The chaos prevented another motion, which called attention to Nigeria’s designation as a ‘country of particular concern’ by US President Donald Trump, from being debated. 

Subsequently, Kalu called for an executive session in an effort to restore calm at the chamber.