The House of Representatives, Monday, started its special plenary on fuel price hike on a rowdy note.
At about 12.15p.m. immediately after prayers, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, read the proceedings of the previous sitting and moved for the admittance of Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, into the chamber but the shouts of No! No! No rented the air.
However, after the Speaker finished his comment, allowing the leader to move the motion, there was a resounding ‘nay’ from the opposition lawmakers, mostly members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in rejection of the motion.
Yakubu Dogara ignored the strength of the ‘nay’ prayers by ruling in favour of the ‘ayes’ as the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, quickly moved for the admittance of Dr. Kachikwu.
While some members, waving the national flag, started shouting ‘all we are saying save Nigeria,’ others were chanting ‘change’ with mainly PDP Reps shouting ‘shame,’ ‘shame.’
At this stage, the Minority Leader, Rep Leo Ogor, approached the Speaker and after a brief chat with him, joined his fellow lawmakers.
Also, the Majority Leader and some of the lawmakers approached the Speaker, but the noise continued as all appeals by the Majority Whip, Ado Doguwa, to his colleagues fell on deaf ears.
Suddenly, frayed tempers disappeared and the Speaker gave the Minority Leader the floor and he immediately moved for a closed-door meeting. – Vanguard.
