Member representing Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Thursday called for probe into the attempted snatching of the mace during Wednesday’s plenary, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Hon Gogo Bright (PDP, Rivers), had attempted to snatch the mace during a heated argument that resulted from the naming of Hon Ndidi Elumelu as minority leader, ahead of Hon Kingsley Chinda.
Both Elumelu and Chinda are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Chinda was the party’s preferred candidate for the position, Elumelu is said to enjoy the support of 99 members of nine minority parties in the House.
Igbere TV reports that Ben Kalu became the first honourable member of the 9th House of Reps to move a motion, when he moved the motion calling for urgent intervention on the erosion ravaging communities in Abia.
Kalu, while calling for probe into the (mace) incident, said he was psychologically threatened by the action of members “especially that of Bright who was caught on camera removing the mace during plenary.”
He prayed the House to investigate the incident and punish erring members as a means of preventing a reoccurrence (in the future).
In his remarks, the Speaker called the act “a breach of the collective privilege of members” and approved the constitution of an Ad-Hoc Ethics Committee to investigate the incident.
On his part, Hon Daniel Asuquo pleaded for peace over what transpired, saying, “it was an expression of anger which is common with human beings” and that it was not done in disregard to the Speaker.
Responding, however, Gbajabiamila said the incident was not against him as Speaker, but against the Institution of Legislature, “so everything must be done to protect the institution in line with international standards.”
He noted that the procedure must continue in line with the motion moved by Benjamin Kalu, and that unless a motion on notice is moved to halt the process and adopted by the House, it must continue.
He then went on to name Peter Akpatason (APC, Edo) as Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Ethics and Privilege with a charge to investigate the incident.
Igbere TV reports that the committee has Hon James Faleke, Tijani Ahmed and others as members.
