An attempt to refer a motion from House of Representatives caused a rowdy session during plenary
The House of Representatives descended into a rowdy session on Tuesday following a disagreement among lawmakers over the formation of a committee to investigate alleged illegal land allocations at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
The development followed the presentation of a motion by Rep. Ademorin Kuye (APC Lagos), who called for the establishment of an ad-hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
However, several lawmakers opposed the motion, arguing that the investigation should instead be handled by the standing committee on commerce, which has oversight responsibility for the complex.
Rep. Kwamoti Laori (PDP, Adamawa) raised a point of order, citing Order 20, which defines the functions of standing committees. He maintained that once an issue is covered under the rules, its referral cannot be arbitrarily altered.
“The essence of this rule is that when a matter is referred to a particular committee by our standing orders, that reference takes precedence,” Rep. Laori said. “The House cannot alter that without a formal amendment.”
But Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) countered, insisting that the complex, being a federal government property, falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public Assets, as provided under Order 109, Rules 1 and 2 (a–c).
“We must distinguish between commercial activities and ownership,” Rep. Gagdi argued. “The Lagos Trade Fair Complex is a Federal Government asset. Therefore, the Committee on Public Assets rightly has jurisdiction.”
Rep. Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) disagreed, maintaining that the committee on commerce should handle the probe, since the complex remains a government-managed commercial facility.
“This is not about selling a public property,” Rep. Esset said. “The Trade Fair Complex is still under government management for commercial use. The Committee on Commerce has constitutional oversight, and if the House has erred, it has the power to reverse its decision.”
The Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe), cautioned against setting a wrong legislative precedent, urging members to avoid allowing sentiment to influence procedural interpretation.
Rep. Gaza Jonathan (SDP, Nasarawa) later proposed a compromise—suggesting a joint investigation by the Committees on Public Assets and Commerce, with Public Assets taking the lead.
“Since this issue involves both asset management and commercial operations, the committees can collaborate to ensure fairness and thoroughness,” Rep. Jonathan suggested.
However, Rep. James Shuaibu, Deputy Chairman of the Commerce Committee, objected, disclosing that his committee had already conducted two oversight visits to the complex on the same issue.
“Our committee has visited the complex twice on this same matter,” he said. “We are already handling it. Taking it away now undermines our ongoing work.”
After a vote on the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, ruled in favor of the proposal to set up an ad-hoc committee. The ruling sparked discontent among some members, who continued to express anger and voted against subsequent motions, though their objections were repeatedly overruled.
Tensions heightened as lawmakers insisted that no further motions be entertained, chanting “step down” at any member who attempted to move a motion.
Amid the growing commotion and failed attempts to restore order, the deputy speaker eventually dissolved the plenary into an executive session.
