The House of Representatives on Tuesday in Abuja was in a rowdy session over comments by the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, referring to the Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, as the Deputy Minority Leader.
Trouble started when Gbajabiamila stood up to contribute to a motion earlier moved by Ali Madaki, requesting for the removal and dismissal of the Inspector-General of Police (IG) and Rivers Commissioner of Police (CP), respectively.
Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) who refused to withdraw his statement insisted that it was based on the provisions of the House rules on majority party in the House.
He said that it would be a breach of privilege of the APC as a party not to demand for its rightful place in the House.
He said that the purpose of any government was to protect its citizens.
The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, advised members to always abide by court orders.
“Let’s continue as leaders to manage the affairs of the country well. We should continue to work together for the interest of our country,” he said.
Tambuwal said that the National Assembly was a key to the stability of the country.
A Federal High court in Abuja on January 20 restrained the House from changing its leadership, pending the determination of a suit filed by the PDP.
With the defection of 37 PDP members of the House , the APC has 172 against PDP’s 171 members.
Meanwhile, the House has mandated its committees on Rules and Business, Justice and Police to advise it on a motion seeking the removal and dismissal of the IG and Rivers CP respectively.
The committee is expected to report back to the House in one week.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Ali Madaki ( APC-Kano) on “the need to save our nascent democracy,” which was adopted.
Madaki had alleged that in spite of the flagrant abuse of fundamental rights of the Rivers people, the police high command was protecting the Police Commissioner in the state.
“Mr Mbu is being protected by the Police high authority in the face of abuse of constitutional duty of protecting lives and property of Nigerians,’’he said.
He said that the unpleasant happenings in Rivers should be of concern to all and sundry.
Madaki said that democracy, as an act of governance, was predicated upon freedom of association and assembly.
