The House of Representatives on Tuesday erupted in an uproar after a counter motion was moved against an earlier one over what lawmakers described as “misleading international narratives on religious killings in Nigeria.” in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
Rep Olamijuwonlo Ayodeji Alao-Akala (APC, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Federal Constituency, Oyo State), moved the motion which sparked the uproar on the floor, thus forcing the Green Chamber to move into a closed-door (executive) session after repeated shouts of “order!” and heated exchanges across party lines.
Alao-Akala, who introduced the motion under Order 8 Rule 5, said the matter was of “urgent national importance,” asking lawmakers to reject what he called “foreign media propaganda and distorted Western narratives” portraying Nigeria as a nation with religious killings.
“Mr. Speaker, I seek the leave of the House to suspend the relevant rules for me to take this matter of public importance on the need to address misleading international narratives on religious killings in Nigeria and strengthen domestic and diplomatic engagement for national cohesion,” Alao-Akala declared.
Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya (APC, Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Kwara State), who seconded the motion, supported the call for a parliamentary response, describing it as “an all-important national issue that demands immediate intervention.”
But soon after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas asked for a voice vote, the House went into shouting march as the Representatives shouted at each other.
He accused colleagues of politicizing the matter, prompting the Speaker to repeatedly call for calm. “Order! Order, Honourable Members! Sit down!” Abbas urged as tempers flared.
Due to the escalating tension, Abbas ordered the House into an executive session. The motion to that effect was moved by Oswaembale Okumo (PDP, Presidential/Confederal Constituency) and seconded by another member.
“Those in support that we go into executive session, say aye,” the Speaker ruled, with a chorus of voices responding in the affirmative.
“The House is hereby resolved to executive session,” after which he ordered journalists and aides out of the gallery.
