BEVERLY HILLS, September 21, (THEWILL) – There was a rowdy session in the House of Representatives on Wednesday after the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, recognised the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Emmanuel Oker-Jev, to move a motion, at a time another member Aliyu Madaki was putting up his hand to be recognised.
Oker-Jev was recognized to move his motion in the midst of heavy noise caused by the allegation of budget padding raised by former Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, against Dogara and some principal officers.
In the motion, he stated that the House had come under heavy attack by the allegations. This was passed and referred to the Ethics and Privileges committee, which would look into the matter.
At this point, Reps members began shouting “Dogara, Dogara.”
When Madaki was eventually recognised to speak, he was barely heard, as scores of lawmakers were screaming all at the same time.
When calm briefly returned to the chamber and Madaki was allowed to speak, he pointed out that the motion moved by Oker-Jev was not seconded by any legislator, which was against the house rules.
He reminded the Speaker that there was a call for his resignation based on the allegations leveled against him by Jibrin.
Responding, Dogara said: “We all know who seconded the motion. The allegations were against the House; if I must resign, I will wait for you to tender in your resignation first.”
While some legislators quickly rushed to give Madaki papers to write his resignation letter, others again started cheering Dogara at the top of their voices, saying they are with the Speaker.
But despite the rowdy session, the Lower Chamber succeeded in placing the embattled former Appropriations Committee Chairman, Jibrin, before the House watchdog, the Ethics and Privileges committee.
Lawmakers loyal to Speaker Dogara made good their threat as they made sure all attempts to save Jibrin from coming under the hammer of the House rule was rubbished.
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