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Violence And Fisticuffs In The House Of Reps Session by rhymz(m): 8:33am On Jun 23, 2010 |
House session turns violent By Festus Owete June 23, 2010 06:16AM print email S In the full glare of students of City Royal Secondary School Abuja who had come to witness parliamentary proceedings at the House of Representatives yesterday, supporters of the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole brutalised and forcefully ejected members who had demanded that the leadership be investigated for misappropriation. Dino Melaye, Solomon Awhinawhi, Austin Nwachukwu, Bitrus Kaze and Doris Uboh, all members of the ‘‘progressive group’’ which two weeks ago began the campaign to force Mr Bankole to resign for alleged corruption, were beaten up, dragged out of the chamber, and suspended indefinitely for unruly behaviour. The lawmakers were almost stripped naked by the pro-Bankole group as their clothes were torn up in the process of bundling them out of the hall. Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers), a supporter of Mr Bankole had his right hand broken by Mr Nwachukwu who also allegedly attacked him with a fire extinguisher. Both of them were first admitted to the National Assembly clinic before Mr Igwe was later transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja for further medical examination. Trouble began when shortly after the commencement of the proceedings at about 11.09 am, more than one hour behind schedule, Mr Bankole asked Chile Igbauwa (PDP, Benue) to move a motion. But as Mr Igbauwa moved his motion, Mr Melaye, who sensed that it was aimed at suspending him and members of his group, rose from his seat and began to shout, “point of order! No way! No Way! We will not take it!’’ while blowing a whistle, which he had brought into the session. He was joined by Mr Nwachukwu and Ms. Uboh, who struggled to take the paper from which Mr Igbauwa was reading his motion. Mr Melaye eventually grabbed the paper from Mr Igbauwa, who was sitting directly behind him, tore it and threw it to the floor. Mr Awhinawhi, who moved to the front to grab the mace, the symbol of legislative authority, was stopped and severely beaten up. Obviously overwhelmed by the confusions that erupted, Mr Bankole adjourned the session and attempted to leave the chamber through the back door which is behind his seat, but was asked to follow the normal front door. He was, however, persuaded by his loyalists, who perceived that such action would be interpreted as victory for ‘‘the progressives’’, to return to his seat. Upon his return, the Speaker announced the suspension of the ‘‘progressive’’ members and directed the Serjeant-at-Arms to take them out of the chamber. The suspended lawmakers, who were further infuriated, refused to leave, prompting the pro-Bankole lawmakers led by Ishyaku Bawa, a PDP member from Taraba State, to bundle them out of the chamber, one after the other. In the process, members of both camps were injured. Lawmakers suspended Mr Nwachukwu, who was being forced out of the chambers, lifted Chinyere Igwe up and smashed him on the floor. Mr Igwe, who was now bleeding, broke an arm in the process. Ms Uboh, on her part, was pushed down by Mr Bawa while Messrs Melaye and Awhinawhi were manhandled before being bundled out. Mr Kaze, all the while was left alone, was suddenly identified by some members who bundled him out, tearing his dress in the process. After they were sent out, Mr Bankole, who had watched quietly from his seat, called the House to order at exactly 11.45 am and apologised to Nigerians for the rowdiness of the members. He said, “First, I must start by apologising to Nigerians for the rowdiness of today’s session. But for the avoidance of doubt, we will still ask Igbauwa to go through the process (moving of motion) for clarity.’’ Invoking Order 5 of the House Standing Rules, Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 24 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, Mr Igbauwa called for the suspension of 11 members of the opposing group for failing to follow the rules of the House in their activities and for causing their wild allegations to be published in the media. He argued that since the House will outlive all its members, it behoves on members to cherish, respect and protect its image and integrity and hold sacrosanct its standing orders and rules and above all the constitution of the country, which they all swore to uphold. He added, “While relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution guarantee the freedom of opinion and expression, it must be done within the context of procedure so as not to infringe on the rights and privileges of others, in this case, members of the House, I hereby move that the House resolve to suspend the following members.” The motion, which was seconded by Shehu Garba Matazu (PDP, Katsina) was unanimously adopted. Those suspended are Dino Melaye, Solomon Awhinawhi, Austin Nwachukwu, Bitrus Kaze and Doris Uboh. Others are Ehiogie West- Idahosa, Independence Ogunewe, Abba Anas, Gbenga Oduwaiye, Kayode Amusan and Gbenga Onigbogi. Messrs Onigbogi, Oduwaiye and Onigbogi were not known to have participated in the activities of the ‘‘progressives’’ though they were allegedly aggrieved after their removal from committee leadership two weeks ago. Interestingly, Ralph Okeke, Darlington Okereke and Asita Honourable, who were also at the press conference where the progressive gave Mr Bankole seven days ultimatum to resign, escaped sanction. It was the second time Mr Ogunewe would be suspended in the last 18 months. Principle of reasonable force House spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, who briefed journalists after the sitting said the trio were not suspended because the decision to suspend the members was not premised on the press conference two weeks ago but on the unruly behaviour of the ‘‘progressive’’ members on the floor. Mr Eyiboh, who was accompanied to the press conference by Farouk Lawan, Cyril Maduabum, Oluwole Oke and Mikail Binitishahi, explained that the House acted in line with the rules of the House. According to him, the lawmakers who were suspended should have moved out of the chamber immediately, but instead conducted themselves in a manner that was inconsistent with parliamentary procedure. According to him, while Mr Nwachukwu came into the chamber with tear gas, which can be interpreted as arm bearing, Mr Melaye came with a whistle, stressing that this is “un- parliamentary and misdemeanor.” On the beating up of the progressive members, Mr Eyiboh said it was done within the principle of law and reasonable force. “A man who bears arms is also violating the law. They were ordinarily going through the reasonable force of the law,” he said. Also speaking, Mr Lawan, who chairs the Integrity Group that spearheaded the removal of former Speaker Patricia Etteh three years ago, said the suspension of the progressive members has nothing to do with the fact that they made corruption allegations against Mr Bankole to the EFCC, but because they “have become a source of irritation and distraction to the House.” He regretted that the suspended lawmakers did not avail themselves of the standing rules of the House, adding that the lower chamber is an institution with committees which can resolve such matters whenever they arise. Reacting to their suspension, Mr Melaye said his group will go to court to challenge the action of the House. “It is the height of tyranny; what they accuse us of, Eseme Eyiboh and Dimeji Bankole are guilty of talking to the press. There is nowhere in our rules that says we cannot talk to the press. (Halims) Agoda did the same. We shall not allow this. They refuse to react to our allegation instead they suspended us. This is collaborative tyranny.” Last night the police arrested Mr Melaye and Mr Nwachukwu in connection with the fracas and sealed of their offices. |
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