It was just another day in the House of Representatives, until it wasn’t. As lawmakers gathered to deliberate on critical bills, the atmosphere took an unexpected turn. Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker presiding over the session, found himself having to remind one of his colleagues, Francis Ejiroghene Waive, the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, to take his seat.
It all started when the House reverted to the Committee of the Whole to consider bills on establishing federal tertiary institutions, including a new College of Agriculture in Gombe State and a University of Agriculture in Oyo State. As the session unfolded, Kalu asked Waive to take his seat so another lawmaker could contribute.
Waive, however, didn’t take kindly to the instruction. “I am an elected representative,” he retorted. His response didn’t sit well with others in the chamber. “Is that why you shouldn’t take your seat?” another lawmaker shot back. Then, in an unexpected move, Waive and Bello Ambarura, deputy chairman of the Rules and Business committee, walked out.
For a man whose job is to uphold order in the House, the move was nothing short of startling. It wasn’t just an act of defiance—it was a direct challenge to the authority of the presiding officer and, by extension, the institution itself.
Kalu didn’t mince words. “The chairman and deputy chairman of Rules and Business walked out of the House. There must be discipline in this House. We cannot be considering reports, and the chairman and his deputy are absent. The Committee on Ethics and Privileges should look into this if they don’t return before the end of this session. This is a parliament!”
The Committee of the Whole is where legislative heavy lifting happens—the space where lawmakers break down bills, analyse implications, and shape policies that impact millions of Nigerians. But on this day, Kalu was unimpressed by the turnout. “This is where the power of the mind comes to work. This is where we analyse issues. This is the real legislative work—lawmaking. Yet, we are very few here. The real lawmakers are those who sit down and care about the laws.”
His actions not only disrupted proceedings but also sent a message that lawmakers could disregard instructions from the presiding officer. Although moments like this might seem minor, they shed light on how crucial it is for lawmakers to follow procedures and respect each other.
Waive’s actions could set a poor example for other members, leading them to think it’s okay to ignore the instructions from their leaders.
The House, however returned to its important work. They began considering reports on key amendments aimed at improving education in Nigeria.
The reports considered were, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) to make Provision for Establishment of Federal College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Tallase, Gombe State and for Related Matters (SB.297).
“A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provision for the Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Okeho,
Oyo State and for Related Matters (SB.675); A Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended) to make Provision for Establishment of Federal College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Tallase, Gombe State and for Related Matters; and A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make Provision for the Establishment of Federal University of Agriculture, Okeho, Oyo State and for Related Matters (SB.675)
