Chaos In the House: Reps Erupt In Rowdy Session Over Federal Land Probe

The House of Representatives erupted into chaos on Tuesday, November 4, following a motion calling for an investigation into the alleged illegal and criminal allocation of Federal Government lands at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.

The motion, sponsored by Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos), proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee to probe the alleged land irregularities.

The proposal immediately ignited tension on the floor, with several lawmakers opposing Kuye’s motion. Critics argued that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Commerce, which they maintained should handle the investigation instead of creating a separate committee.

Despite the objections, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, presiding over the session, ruled in favor of the motion following a voice vote. The decision further enraged some lawmakers, who accused the presiding officer of bias and refused to support subsequent motions presented in the chamber.

The session grew increasingly disorderly, with some members shouting down colleagues attempting to introduce new motions, insisting that no further legislative business should proceed until the land probe issue was addressed.

Attempts by the Deputy Speaker and senior members to restore order proved unsuccessful, prompting Kalu to call for an executive session. The open plenary was temporarily suspended to allow for closed-door consultations aimed at calming tensions. Details of the executive session have not yet been released.

The controversy surrounding the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, has been longstanding, with stakeholders alleging land racketeering and unlawful allocations. The latest motion adds a new chapter to the ongoing dispute and has intensified divisions within the Green Chamber.