Plenary session in the House of Representatives was disrupted on Thursday by aggrieved lawmakers who were insisting the Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara must respect the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that four of its members should be appointed as Principal Officers of the 8th House.
There was bedlam in the green chamber as legislators loyal to Dogara shielded the Speaker from his antagonists who made a dash for the mace, the House’s symbol of authority.
Prior to the commotion, the APC had on June 23 written to the Speaker informing him that it has nominated Hon Femi Gbajabiamila ( APC, Lagos) and Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano) as Majority Leader and Deputy Majority Leader respectively.
The party also gave the names of Hon Mohammed Tahir Monguno ( APC, Borno) and Hon Pally Iriase ( APC Edo) as Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip respectively.
But a high drama lasting more than one hour twenty minutes ensued when the House convened Thursday and it started when Dogara called on a member, Hon. Oker Jeff from Benue to move for an executive session.
This was not to be as Hon. Abdullahi Salame from Sokoto moved in protest toward the mace and grabbed it, but the attempt was swiftly checked as men of the Sergeant-at-arm prevented the legislative coup from taking place.
This resulted to serious fight among members who exchanged blows inside the hallow chamber of the national assembly.
Details later
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