Rep. Chinda refuses to yield to Elumelu in principal officers’ tussle
By Henry Omunu, Abuja
There was mild drama at Thurday’s plenary of the House of Representatives following the refusal of the anoited candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the position of House Minority Leader, Rep. Kinsley Chinda refused to recognize the minority principal officers announced by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila by occupying the seat allocated to the minority leader.
Our correspondent recalls that the speaker had on Wednesday announced Rep. Ndudi Elumelu as the minority leader against the PDP’s choice, Rep. Kingsley Chinda.
Against the tradition that principal officers escort the speaker into the House chamber, Rep. Chinda was said to have made his way into the chamber as early as 9am to occupy the seat meant for the minority leader.
On entering the chamber, the Speaker Gbajabiamila accompanied by other principal officers, including was however, confronted with the spectacle that there was no seat for Rep. Elumelu and to starve off any confrontation advised Elumelu to take an alternative seat.
The speaker did not however, hide his anger as he went ahead to approve the votes and proceedings of Wednesday, thereby authenticating Elumelu and others as minority principal officers. This was applauded by members through a standing ovation as they shouted ‘Gbaja, Gbaja’ in unison.
Attempts by Rep. Chinda to raise a point of order rebuffed by the speaker who told him that he was on a wrong seat and therefore, cannot in accordance with House rules be recognized to speak.
When Rep. Chinda insisted on moving the order by repeatedly shouting “point of order, point of order,” the speaker warned him, saying “I am warning that nobody should try the might of this House because if you do, you will regret it.”
While supporters of the speaker hailed his dexterity in handling the impasse, he continued by addressing Chinda thus, “Chinda, do not try me; you are not on your allocated seat and will not be heard.”
But, when Rep. Mark Gbabila raised a point of order claiming that the speaker was threatening his colleagues in violation of House rules, Gbajabiamila retorted by saying that “go and consult your dictionary so that you will know the difference between threats and warning; you are ruled out of order.”
Earlier, Rep. Okezie Kalu (Abia) raised a point of order claiming that he was threatened psychologically in the hallowed chamber of the House because some ranking members of the House attempted to snatch the mace during Wednesday’s plenary and consequently moved that a committee be set up to investigate the matter.
Responding, the speaker assured him that the matter would be referred to an ad hoc committee on ethics and privileges whose members would be named at the end of plenary.
