A heated confrontation erupted on the floor of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Wednesday after lawmakers sharply disagreed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, forcing proceedings into a rowdy session.
The tension flared during plenary when Hon. Benedict Etanabene, who represents the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, rose on a point of privilege to draw the attention of the House to a circular issued on June 29 by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
Etanabene’s intervention, which reportedly formed the basis of a motion calling for President Tinubu to appear before the House, immediately sparked fierce exchanges among members, with opposing camps trading arguments over the constitutional propriety and political implications of such a move.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a noisy session as lawmakers shouted over one another, compelling the presiding officer to repeatedly call for order in an attempt to restore calm and allow legislative business to continue.
The dramatic exchange underscores growing divisions within the Green Chamber over issues relating to executive accountability, as members continue to debate the extent of the National Assembly’s oversight powers over the Presidency.
Further details are expected as the plenary progresses.
