The plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday descended into a rowdy scene after lawmakers voted against several motions of urgent public importance bordering on the protection of lives and key government assets.

Presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the sitting became tense after the rejection of motions triggered heated exchanges among members, forcing the House into a closed-door session to restore order.

Trouble began when Ademorin Kuye (APC, Somolu, Lagos), who also chairs the House Committee on Public Assets, raised a motion on the alleged illegal allocation of lands within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. He urged the House to mandate his committee to investigate the matter.

However, Francis Waive (APC, Delta), Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, proposed an amendment, arguing that the Committee on Commerce, not Public Assets, should handle the probe. His position was supported by Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom).

In defense, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) backed Kuye, maintaining that the issue fell squarely within the jurisdiction of the Public Assets Committee.

As the disagreement intensified, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) suggested an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of both Committees on Public Assets and Commerce to jointly investigate the alleged illegal land sales.

When Kalu subjected the proposal to a voice vote, the chamber appeared evenly divided. Unable to determine which side had more support, Kalu ruled in favour of the nays, a decision that immediately sparked outrage and disorder among members.

Shortly after, Mohammed Bio (APC, Kwara), moved another motion calling on the military to establish a base in crisis-prone areas of his Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency to tackle worsening insecurity. To the surprise of many, lawmakers again voted against the motion.

The rejections appeared to deepen tensions, with many members expressing frustration.

The final straw came when Ayodeji Alao-Akala (APC, Oyo) raised a motion urging the House to address the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Despite audible dissenting voices, Kalu allowed the motion to pass, prompting open opposition and shouting across the chamber.

The uproar forced the suspension of plenary as lawmakers went into a closed-door session to calm tempers and restore order.

…Details later.