Abuja — It is a common feature world over for parliamentarians to resort to the use of physical combat, violence and foul language to resolve conflicts and settle differences, but the House of Representatives has become notorious for its perennial application of these methods whenever certain issues crop up on the floor. These issues have been varied, ranging from allegations of corruption, struggle for committee chairmanship, to the sharing of money, personal misunderstandings, and a host of others. One of such fracas during the reign of former speaker, Patricia Etteh, resulted in the death of Hon. Aminu Safana, who collapsed in the course of a rowdy session occasioned by attempts to remove the speaker.

The Rehearsal

Tuesday, members of the House threw caution to the wind and engaged one another in a free-for- all to the utter dismay and condemnation of most Nigerians. It was indeed the anti-climax of weeks of a sustained campaign by a group of lawmakers-the 'Progressives'-bent on unseating Speaker Dimeji Bankole on allegations of corruption and fraud. The Progressives, led by Hon. Dino Melaye had levelled allegations of corruption against the speaker and issued him a seven-day ultimatum to resign, or face dire consequences. The group claim Bankole has questions to answer over the controversial N2.3 billion car scam.

The Allegations and Reactions

At the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, the Progressives came out with fresh allegations, accusing the speaker and principal officers of misappropriating N9 billion House capital votes. The Progressives had challenged the speaker to account for the about N9billion he spent in 2008 on cars and miscellaneous items, from contract and procurement documents. The Progressives submitted that "The House received a total sum of N11billion for 2008 and 2009 and expended the total of N9billion. Majority of the House members have no clue about the details of the expenditure purportedly made from this colossal sum. The Hon. Speaker authorised a spurious, vexatious and reckless expenditure profile at a time when there is so much economic hardship, massive unemployment and neglected infrastructure in the country. Let us now illustrate the unacceptable expenditure profile authorised by the Hon. Speaker by giving a few examples."

The Group recalled that "on May 28, 2008, the Hon. Speaker and the Body of Principal Officers approved the purchase of 4 units of Range Rover (V8) Jeeps, 3 units of Mercedes Benz S -600 cars for the use of the Hon. Speaker and his Deputy in the sum N335,500,000

They also accused the speaker of approving the purchase of LCD 40-inch Samsung LNS 341 for the House of Representatives for the sum of N525, 000 per unit (for members), but that the "market price for this product is about N180, 000". According to them, the purchases violate section 15(1) (a) of the public procurement Act, 2007, which provides that "The provisions of this Act shall apply to all procurement of goods, works and services carried out by the federal government of Nigeria and all procurement entities."

After presenting the documents to the media, the group formally submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the agency to investigate the speaker. This development drew a lot of flak from the leadership of the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, who said that "these people should be ignored", adding that "they are just legislative delinquents who have decided to create for themselves a worthless agenda that would not work. They want to make the House look as if it lacks legislative sensitivity."

He said "they have just served you tissues and script, knowing fully well that the award of contracts is neither the responsibility of the speaker, nor that of the House. The responsibility of the award of contracts falls with the management of the National Assembly.

"They ought to know that as members of the National Assembly, they have the constitutional power of oversight. That means that they could have invited the clerk of the National Assembly and other officers to find out. Because the National Assembly is also an arm of government, just like the MDAs", he charged

"Instead of going to the Press, they could have proceeded to any of the anti-graft bodies. When we resume, they will be invited to verify their claims on the floor. That is when you will see the difference between the 'boys' and the 'men', ", he said.

The Bloody Clash

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 began like any other day in the House chambers, with members exchanging pleasantries and light banter, as they were just reconvening from a two-week recess. But the peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the environment turned sour almost immediately legislative business kicked off. Speaker Bankole had sauntered into the chambers and was warmly received by his colleagues who remained standing, as is the practice for him to take his seat. After the usual announcement, the speaker recognised Hon. Chile Igbawua (PDP, Benue) to move his motion. Igbawua had barely completed the first sentence of his motion titled 'Motion for Suspension', when leader of the Progressives, Hon. Dino Melaye (PDP, Kogi) started shouting "Point of order! 'Point of order! 'No way 'No way! 'We can not be suspended!"

At this point, other 'progressives' joined Dino in the protest as four of them, Hon. Doris Uboh (PDP, Delta), Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Plateau), Solomon Awhinawhi (PDP, Delta) and Austin Nwachukwu (PDP, Imo) attacked Igbawua, making spirited efforts to snatch the motion paper. Commotion resulted as other lawmakers sprung up in support of Igbawua, trying to protect him from the Progressives. Uboh tried effortlessly to hit Igbawua, but was parried away. However, in the ensuing confusion, Melaye succeeded in snatching the motion paper from Igbawua and tore it to pieces.

While this was going on, another 'progressive', Awhinawhi attempted to remove the mace (the symbol of authority) but met stiff resistance from an army of sergeants-at-arms, who prevented him. His (Awhinawhi) insistence to take the mace incured the wrath of pro-Bankole lawmakers, who joined the sergeants-at-arms, to form a protective ring round the instrument. This suddenly resulted in a scuffle between Awhinawhi and Hon. Ishaku Bawa (PDP, Taraba), who exchanged hot blows, with Awhinawhi ending up on the floor.

The Eviction

Bankole was apparently frustrated and hurriedly adjourned the session, but was forced to take his seat and continue. Dino and Kaze started blowing their whistles, while Bankole read out the names of the 11 Progressive members slated for suspension. The action received resounding and standing ovation from his supporters. At this point the speaker directed the sergeants-at-arms to remove the suspended members from the chambers, a directive that received, stiff opposition from the Progressives. It became a ding dong affair on the floor, with members again engaging one another in a scuffle, with Austin Nwachukwu eventually breaking Chinyere Igwe's arms, after spraying a substance (believed to be tear gas) into Igwe's eyes.

Igwe's cry attracted the attention of the lawmakers, who then descended on Nwachukwu to retrieve the 'substance', tearing his trousers in the process. Uboh, the only female member of the group, in spite of her resistance, was bundled out by a combined team of sergeants-at-arms and some lawmakers. Her shouting and yelling could not save her either; she was forced out of the chambers. The next to be evicted was Melaye, who resisted vehemently but was overpowered and thrown out, with a torn kaftan. Awhinawhi was marched out, accompanied by some blows; ditto for Kaze, who also had his Kaftan torn before being escorted out of the chambers. But as they were being marched out one after the other, Independence Ogunewe quietly walked out through the back door untouched. Equally not touched was the leader of the Nigeria First Forum (NFF), Abba Anas, who walked out quietly without molestation. Some of the suspended members were however absent at the plenary.

After clearing the chambers of the 'dissident members', Bankole again called on Igbawua to read out his motion, which was unanimously adopted, thereby confirming the indefinite suspension of the eleven members.

Side Attraction

While the brouhaha was going on in the floor, some security men also resorted to harassing some journalists covering the House, seizing their cameras and arresting some. They were later released following protest from their colleagues who stormed out of the gallery and abandoned proceedings on the floor. Worst of all, students of Royal Secondary School, Nyanya, Abuja who were on excursion to the National Assembly and witnessed the drama from the gallery, left the chambers in utter disbelief.

THE SUSPENDED MEMBERS

Hon. Dino Melaye:

He represents Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency of Kogi State and was elected to the House in 2007. He is the leader of the Progressive Minded Legislators (PML), out to unseat Bankole on allegations of corruption. He first came to limelight in the House politics during the reign of Speaker Patricia Etteh, whom he defended profusely. His unflinching loyalty to Etteh was openly displayed when he engaged Hon. Emmanuel Jime at the venue of the sitting of the Hon, David Idoko-led investigative panel. Sometime in 2009, he stirred the hornet's nest by accusing the chief whip of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of fraud in the conduct of the celebration of the 10 years of sustained parliamentary democracy organised by the House. When he was called upon to substantiate the allegations, he made a u-turn, denying ever raising any allegations against Ihedioha. He was forced to resign his chairmanship of the Information and National Orientation Committee. Melaye is said to have lobbied unsuccessfully to regain the committee and this is believed to be his parting point with Bankole. He participated fully in the fight on the floor last Tuesday and is among the suspended eleven.

Hon. Independence Ogunewe:

He represents Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte federal constituency of Imo State. He was first elected to the House in 2003. He has set the record of being the first lawmaker to be suspended twice in one Assembly in the history of the National Assembly. His first suspension cost him the chairmanship of the Cooperation and Integration Committee, which he held after being stripped of the Aviation Committee when Bankole reshuffled committees in 2008. There is no love lost between him and the speaker. He was first suspended in 2009 for 'unparliamentary conduct'. He was a member of Integrity Group, the group that ousted Patricia Etteh and also participated in the fracas that claimed the life of Aminu Safana. Recently, he allegedly assaulted Speaker Bankole and was reportedly quizzed by the security operatives. His major grouse with Bankole is said to the speaker's 'effrontery' to remove him as chairman of the 'lucrative' Aviation committee. He was suspended on Tuesday.

Hon. Ehiogie West-Idahosa:

One of the few legislators that have been in the House since 1999, West-Idahosa represents Ovia East/South West federal constituency of Edo State. Largely seen as a brilliant legislator, he is also not new to controversy, perhaps right from the days of Speaker Ghali Umar Na'abba. He was removed as chairman, Committee on Petroleum by Na'abba, when the radical former speaker suspected that he was a mole for the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo against his leadership. In the fight against Etteh, he was said to have stayed 'on the fence'. When Etteh was removed, the former speaker's supporters nominated him as speaker pro-tempore, though in absentia. He later complained that the nomination be delisted from the House proceedings. He allegedly fell out with Bankole when the speaker did not assign him to chair a committee of his choice in 2008. Since then, he has been an avid critic of Bankole's style of leadership. He is a member of NFF and PML, but was not seen on the floor last Tuesday. He was however suspended.

Hon. Abba Anas Adamu:

Elected to the House in 2007, he is the leader of the NFF, the group that fought hard to actualise the confirmation of Goodluck Jonathan as acting president in the last days of the late President Yar'Adua. Representing Birniwa/Uuri/Kiri-Kasama federal constituency of Jigawa State, Anas was largely unknown in the House until the absence of Yar'Adua from office on account of ill health in November 2009. The formation of NFF brought him to limelight and he is a member of PML. Many hinge his association with the PML on the allegation that the Presidency may be behind the latest onslaught against Speaker Bankole. He was at the fight, but did not lift a hand against anyone and eventually walked out quietly when his co-suspended colleagues were forcefully taken out of the chambers. He is also on suspension.

Hon. Solomon Awhinahwi:

Believed to be one of the richest members in the House, Ahwinahwi represents Ughelli North/South federal constituency of Delta and was elected in 2007. A quiet and unassuming lawmaker, he is said to have personal scores to settle with the speaker. He was a close pal of the speaker in the early post-Etteh era; the crux of their disagreement is not known. He fought gallantly on Tuesday, but received serious beating, especially when he attempted to remove the mace from the chambers. He is a member of both NFF and the PML.

Hon. Austin Nwachukwu:

Nwachukwu, who was almost stripped to his pants, last Tuesday represents Ehime Mbano/ Ihitte Uboma/ Obowo federal constituency of Imo State. First elected to the House in 2007, Nwachukwu is said to have lost faith in Bankole's leadership when his efforts to get the chairmanship of a committee, particularly the Works Committee vacated by the sacked Hon. Chuma Nzeribe. Instead, Bankole appointed his close friend, Hon. Chukwuka Onyeama from Anambra to the position. He received the beating of his life during the fight, especially when members suspected that he had sprayed tear gas in Hon. Chinyere Igwe's eyes and was carrying a dangerous weapon. He was almost torn into shreds! He has since been arraigned in court for alleged possession of dangerous weapons. He is also on suspension.

Hon. Bitrus Kaze:

An outspoken member elected in 2007, Kaze's disagreement with Speaker Bankole dates back to the Jos crisis. He once criticised the composition of the House committee that investigated one of the numerous Jos crises and even kicked against the report of the committee. He thereafter resigned as vice chairman, Committee on Climate Change in protest. Since that incident, he has never hidden his reservation for Bankole's leadership. He is a member of PML and also received some measure of beating, as his kaftan was partially torn, even as he was the last of the suspended honuorable members to be bundled out of the chambers. He represents Jos South/ East federal constituency of Plateau State and is on indefinite suspension.

Hon. Gbenga Oduwaiye:

He represents Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North federal constituency of Ogun State and was elected to the House in 2007. He was recently removed as chairman, Committee on Inter/Intra Party Relations. Oduwaiye has never been a fan of Speaker Bankole and many believe he is doing the bidding of Governor Gbenga Daniels, who is said to be in an opposing camp at home with the speaker. Before his election to the House, he had served as special adviser to the governor. He was not part of the fight, but has been suspended from the House.

Hon. Kayode Amusan:

A one-time contender for the position of speaker, Amusan represents Abeokuta North/Odeda Obafemi-Owode federal constituency of Ogun State. Like, Oduwaiye he was relieved of his position as vice chairman, Housing and Habitat committee. The relationship between him and the speaker has never been cordial and it is alleged that he is the eyes of Otunba Gbenga Daniels against the speaker in the House. He did not participate in the fight, but is on suspension.

Hon. Olugbenga Onigbogi:

Another former contender to the position of speaker, Onigbogi represents Atakunmosa East/East/Ijesha federal constituency of Osun State and has been in the House since 1999. He has not been visible in the House or PML activities. He also lost his position as vice chairman of the 'juicy' Niger Delta committee in Bankole's latest committee reshuffle. He was not spotted during the fight.

Hon. Doris Uboh:

The only female member that participated actively in the Tuesday fight, Uboh, a single mother of two children, represents Ika North East/South Federal constituency of Delta state. Her name was added to the motion for suspension by hand. She made spirited efforts to snatch the motion paper from Hon. Chile Igbawua, but was pushed out by other lawmakers. She was forcefully removed from the chambers by sergeants-at-arms with the support of some of her colleagues.

Hon. Chinyere Igwe:

The latest victim of Tuesday's 'madness', Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt II federal constituency of Rivers State, had his hand broken and a substance believed to be tear gas sprayed into his eyes. He is a very close friend of Speaker Bankole and is the vice chairman, Committee on Human Rights. His encounter with Nwachukwu landed him in the hospital and he has reportedly been flown abroad for further medical attention.