House In Rowdy Session Over Budget Padding

By Ebitonye Akpodigha

The House of Representatives was thrown into a raucous session on Wednesday when the issue of budget padding allegation against the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, was raised on the floor.

Mr Dogara was accused by Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin of ‘importing’ strange materials into the 2016 budget.

At the resumption of plenary today, after the Speaker allowed House Chairman on Rules and Business, Mr Emmanuel Oker-Jev, to move his motion, another member, Mr Aliyu Madaki, then also raised his hand to be recognised by Mr Speaker.

Mr Oker-Jev noted that some members of the House had brought huge embarrassment to the chamber because of the budget padding allegation and then called for caution.

But while he was talking, Mr Jibrin was seen parading around the chamber, though under a close watch of the sergeant-at-arms and other members.

At this time, there was a loud noise in the House, but in the midst of it, the Speaker passed Mr Oker-Jev’s motion and referred it to the ethics and privileges committee for investigation.

After the motion was passed and Mr Madaki was given the floor to speak, the was barely heard because the House was already in a rowdy session.

It took time for the Speaker to bring situation under control.