On Wednesday, a drama ensued in the House of Representatives as members bickered over the adjournment of plenary for the ongoing induction ceremony for the members-elect of the National Assembly. The two-week induction ceremony, which commenced last week, was to expose the newly elected and re-elected members of the coming 10th National Assembly to legislative procedures. The first batch had their sessions last week, while the second batch is being trained this week.
The last time the House held a session was on May 4. As the House resumed plenary on Wednesday, a returning member, Ibrahim Isiaka, raised a point of order, citing Order 6 Rules 1 and 2 of the House concerning the privileges of members. He stated, “My prayer is that the House adjourns to allow us that are participating this week to end the programme, while the House reconvenes after the programme…”
However, the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, opposed the suspension of sittings for the induction ceremony. He said, “…there is nowhere in our rules that says if we are doing induction…the days of sitting in the House are very clearly stated in our House Standing Orders…” Similarly, another member of the House, Tajudeen Yusuf, agreed with the deputy speaker’s argument, but noted that the precedent had been laid when the House adjourned for the first batch.
Commenting, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, acknowledged Isiaka’s point and stated, “…the Constitution abhors discrimination. If you have allowed for the first batch, you must allow for the second batch…” He, however, implored members that, “…perhaps, we are already, let us not adjourn abruptly. Let us at least sit for today…”
Subsequently, Gbajabiamila put the motion that the House ‘adjourn until the second batch finish their induction’ to voice vote and it was unanimously adopted. He ruled that the House adjourned ‘till after the induction’, without specifying the date and time, as it is usually done. Therefore, the lawmakers would miss so much by not attending the induction ceremony.
Speaking to journalists after the session, a member of the House, Badru Enitan, explained how the clash between the induction ceremony and plenary affected him. Meanwhile, Babajimi Benson stated, “…we deemed it fit to extend that to this week’s batch as well…”
In conclusion, the House of Representatives has suspended plenary to allow members participating in the induction ceremony for members-elect to end the programme, while the House will reconvene after the programme. While some members opposed the motion, the Speaker claimed the Constitution abhors discrimination and that if the House allowed the first batch, then the second batch must also be allowed.
