The House of Representatives on Wednesday degenerated into a rowdy session as lawmakers exchanged heated arguments over which committee should probe the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the alleged non-remittance of more than ₦16 trillion in government revenue.
The uproar erupted moments after a motion moved by Bamidele Salam, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), alleging that the CBN failed to remit over ₦5 trillion in operating surplus and an additional ₦11 trillion in government revenue, contrary to provisions of extant laws governing public finance.
Salam prayed that the House mandate the CBN Governor to appear before the legislature over the alleged infractions.
The verbal exchange began after an amendment was proposed that instead of allowing only Public Accounts Committee to continue the probe, the House should establish a special ad-hoc committee comprising members of the PAC and other finance-related committees. The amendment quickly split the chamber, as some lawmakers argued that creating a new panel would undermine the mandate and independence of PAC, which is constitutionally empowered to scrutinise public expenditure.
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Others insisted that the financial magnitude of the allegation required a broader inquiry involving multiple committees, to avoid leaving such a sensitive probe to a single panel.
Ghali Tijani, moved for the amendment that an ad-hoc committee should be set up purposely to focus on the subject, and report to the House where necessary.
Babajimi Benson, who seconded the amendment, propsoed that the ad-hoc committee should be populated by members of committees on Public accounts, Banking, and Finance. He said populating the committee is not to undermine the authority of PAC, but to strengthen it.
But Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House interrupted and said the constituents of the ad-hoc committee is not of immediate priority as that could be decided later. This further sparked more heated exchanges and arguments, with some members screaming “we cannot populate the committee.”
“We are trying to strengthen him (Bamidele, mover of the motion, who also chairs PAC), not undermine his committee” Benson argued.
Another Lawmaker, Olumide Osoba argued, “the Public Accounts Committee is a constitutional committee, and its duty are clearly stated in our rule book. And the Public Accounts Committee, being a constitutional committee, should be allowed to conclude its job.”
Every attempt by Abbas to restore order in the House was futile. “Please, maintain orderliness now. Maintain orderliness now”, Abbas yelled repeatedly, but the uproar and arguments only persisted for about an hour.
Eventually, Tijani was forced to withdraw his ammendment for the establishment of an ad-hoc committee, but that did not calm the chaos as arguments persisted over whether the CBN governor should appear before the entire House or the Public Accounts Committee only.
At this point, Abbas became visibly angry with his colleagues.
“I am disappointed with our conduct”, Abbas said furiously.
“Honourable colleagues, we are more than that. We cannot resolve issues among ourselves democratically? We have to resolve into shouting and insulting each other. This is very unparliamentary. What we are doing is not the right thing. If somebody brings an unpopular amendment, we are at liberty to learn. At the end, we hold the power because it will be put to question. If you know you are having majority, it will be killed there. So what is the point of you always shouting as if putting that question will take away a right that belongs to you. We shouldn’t be acting like this. We are before the world which is watching us. This is not the behaviour of an honourable member. We need to desist from this”, Abbas warned.
He specifically expressed disappointment at Mark Esset and Kabiru Amadu for their behavior.
“I am warning you. If you don’t stop this behaviour, believe me sincerely, Honourable Kabir and Honourable Mark, we will take you to Ethics. I do not want to set an example in this house. But you are trying to force me to. If we continue to behave unruly in this house, I swear to God, we will start doing what we need to do”, Abbas further warned.
Afterwards, Ahmadu Jaha, moved for an amendment to the motion, that the House summon the CBN Governor and relevant agencies involved to appear before PAC unfailingly.
The motion was put to a voice vote, and majority of the lawmakers voted in favour.
