The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dogara Yakubu, has announced adjournment of plenary to July 21, 2015 after members engaged in a free-for-all argument for hours over those to occupy its principal offices.
Legislators loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership had disrupted the session of the House of Representatives by snatching away the Mace, a symbol of authority.
The fracas started soon after the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara entered the House and was about to start the normal business of the day, announcing the four vacant principal positions left to be filled in the House. The contentious positions are House leader, deputy House leader, chief whip and deputy chief whip.
A member from Jigawa state, Muhammad Gudaji Kazaure stood up before the Speaker kick-started the proceeding, protesting against the Speaker’s refusal to read a letter sent by the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the party’s preferred candidates for the four positions.
Kazaure started calling for his colleagues to join him as he began to approach the Speaker. Members quickly began to raise banners in support of the party leaving their seats.
One of them eventually took away the mace, without which the session cannot proceed.
But after minutes of struggling with the Sergeant-at-Arms, the mace was taken out of the chamber by members of Sergeant-at-Arms.
As they continue to protest, chanting APC, other members, loyal to the Speaker together with PDP members encircled the Speaker to protect him.
Alhassan Ado Doguwa from Kano state whom the party nominated as the deputy House leader, stood in front of the Speaker chanting in protest to the speaker’s position.
The PDP members and other APC lawmakers loyal to the Speaker are now chanting “Dogara!” Dogara!” while the other camp raised banner reading “Members were elected through party. The party is supreme.”
Presently, there is a stalemate as both camps continue to wage war of words in the chamber.
Dogara is of the ruling party APC but was elected two weeks ago against the choice of the party’s leadership who preferred Rep Femi Gbajiabiamila from the South West. Dogara is from Buachi state, North East.
The same scenario played out in the Senate with Bukola Saraki emerging the Senate President against the party’s choice of Senator Ahmed Lawan.
