Wednesday’s plenary session featured an altercation between the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase.
Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu were purportedly recommended by Gbajabiamila for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the upcoming 10th House, earning them support from the in power All Progressives Congress.
Wase is a member of the G-7, a group of candidates who are upset with the APC’s leadership zoning mechanism and who are considering running against the party’s nominee. Wase is targeting the position of Speaker.
A light order paper should be prepared for Thursday because the meeting should end by 2 p.m. so that members can attend an event at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Gbajabiamila requested toward the end of the session.
Wase expressed his displeasure at the announcement by saying, “Mr Speaker, I’m getting to see this getting so hilarious and we’ve lost quite a few periods of time. For the sake of God, commission projects! Why do we need to put off a lot of our plans only to attend the commissioning of a NILDS project?
“I’m pleading with you, sir, to perform our duties. Everyone has the right to travel if they so want. However, this parliament’s principal duty is to enact laws, and we should put the needs of the people first.
In response, Gbajajabiamila said, “Perhaps, DS, you don’t understand the significance of NILDS as some of us do. The Deputy Speaker interjected, saying, “I think NILDS is very significant, and I have every detail and understanding of what NILDS is.
It was established by statute by this identical organization, the Speaker said. Let’s try to make it light and leave here by two. That was what I said when I announced that we weren’t adjourning the House to go to NILDS. By 10 (am), if you’d like, we can continue. We will complete our work, but this House will adjourn at 2:00. Because the NILDS is significant to me, I will attend.
The Speaker was risen against, and Wase said, “The parliament is about us, not about ‘I.'”
Gbajaabiamila was stunned by the Deputy Speaker’s outburst and remarked, “Mr. Deputy Speaker, this is the first time in history…This is the first time ever in history that a Deputy Speaker will be disputing what the Speaker is saying. I have served in this House for a very long period, probably even longer than anyone else here.
I don’t understand what you mean by challenging, sir,” Wase retorted. that I shouldn’t contribute my efforts?”
Gbajabismila ignored the Deputy Speaker’s final remark and said, “Chairman Business and Rules, please make the order paper very light. Tomorrow at 2:00 PM, this House will adjourned.
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