The Thursday legislative activities in the House of Representatives are being conducted under tight security as 7 staff of Sergeant at arms guarded the Mace and the seat of the Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila in the bid to avoid break down of law and order in the Lower Chamber.
Also at plenary, Hon. Gogo Bright (PDP-Rivers) became the first casualty in the House to be referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Ethics and Privileges for attempting to snatch the Mace during the Wednesday plenary session.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of the Point of Order 6 raised by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, member representing Bende federal constituency of Abia State.
On his part, Benjamin Kalu (APC-Benue) who raised Order 6 on Privileges noted that the Legislative and Privileges of 2004 especially section 19(b) noted that anybody who threatens another member.
“I am not one of the ranking members but one of the first timer, noting that he was traumatized by what transpired in the House on Wednesday,” he said.
He also noted that “ranking members respected so much in person of Hon. Gogo Bright went for the Mace, adding that Mace suppose to be on the upper bracket.”
Hon. Kalu disclosed that several calls were made by Nigerians including Senator Godwin Akpabio and other well-meaning Nigerians who frowned at the unparliamentary practice which transpired on the floor of the Lower Chamber.
However, when Hon. Kingsley Chinda who occupied the seat allotted to the Minority Leader sought the recognition of the Speaker by raising a point of Order, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila ruled him out of order, saying: “Without even asking you what your point of order is, you’re overruled.”
When Hon. Chinda queried the Speaker’s decision, Gbajabiamila said: “I was not acknowledging you because you are not on your allotted seat.”
After the ruling, some PDP members and other minority parties who are loyal to Ndudi Elumelu’s faction chanted ‘Gbaja, Gbaja’.
A further attempt by Hon. Jerry Alagbaso to raise a point of order was frustrated as a majority of the lawmakers loyal to the Speaker shouted him down.
While reacting to the position of some of the aggrieved PDP lawmakers, Gbajabiamila said: “I’m going to make this point very clear, if you’re not on the allotted seat, you will not be recognized.
“I want to say do not test the resolve of this House, if you do, you will have to regret it,” Speaker Gbajabiamila ruled.
While ruling, Hon. Gbajabiamila who noted that collective privileges of all the members were breached by the attempt to snatch the Mace, explained that the member mentioned shall be referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
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According to him, the Ad-hoc Committee on Ethics and Privileges would be constituted before the end of Thursday plenary.
On his part, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP-Kogi) sponsored a motion that the letter on the nomination of Minority Principal Officers which was read by the Speaker was not listed.
Also speaking, Hon. Mark Gbillah (PDP-Benue) who raised a Point Order 6, noted that he considered his privileged breached which ” seems like a threat against a member of the House.”
In his ruling, Hon Gbajabiamila ruled him out of order noting that “there is a difference between threat and warning.”
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