Speaker Tajudeen ends plenary abruptly as Reps session turns rowdy

Legislative activities on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday was abruptly ended to forestall breakdown of law and order.

To this end, the House stepped down the 30 bills listed for First Reading, 8 bills for second reading as well as 9 Standing Committee reports listed for presentation, six reports listed for consideration at the Committee of the Whole, as well as 6 motions listed for debate.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen who presided over the session, after resuming from executive session which started at about 11.54am and ended at about 1.01pm, made two announcements while members were seen gathering in clusters.

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The aggrieved members were seen conversing on the issues of contention ranging from selective implementation of the capital component of the 2024 Appropriation Act as well as non-payment of Indigenous Contractors.

While the Speaker called the House to order, one of the aggrieved lawmakers, member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo, Hon. Uzokwe Ifeanyi repeatedly shouted: “Mr. Speaker, point of order”.

Sensing that the atmosphere was in conducive, the Speaker who traveled to China to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2025 throughout last week, called on the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere to move the motion for adjournment till Wednesday, 12th November, 2025.

While Hon. Ihonvbere was addressing the House, Hon. Ifeanyi kept shouting: “Point of Order, Mr. Speaker”, as the Speaker failed to recognize him, in breach of relevant provisions of the Standing Order of the 10th House of Representatives.

Amidst the shouting row, thr Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda seconded the motion for adjournment of plenary.

Recall that members had during last week Tuesday and Wednesday held series of closed door sessions to douse the agitation over prolonged delay in the payment of indigenous Contractors who blocked major entrance leading to the National Assembly complex.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who presided over last week plenary sessions, assured the lawmakers that all the issues raised would be addressed on resumption this week.

Following his intervention, the lawmakers after the closed door sessions held last week Wednesday unanimously resolved to adjourn sitting to today.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE