A combined photo of National Assembly complex and IGP Kayode Egbetokun
The National Assembly witnessed yet again another chaotic scene during the Inspector General of Police’s budget defence session between the Joint Police Affairs Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Nigeria Police.
The ugly scenario was enacted when misunderstanding crept in on the police’s proposed budget presentation and quickly morphed into a rowdy exchange that led to a dramatic walkout by Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North).
Disagreements started when Egbetokun started his presentation on the proposed activities of the Police in 2025 and was explaining plans for the construction of five zonal police headquarters.
He was abruptly interrupted by a member of the House of Representatives, Mark Essiet from Akwa Ibom State, who noticed discrepancies in the details being presented by the IGP and what was contained in the official document provided to the committee members.
Essiet was backed by Senator Nwoebonyi, principal officer and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who demanded that the IGP should provide the correct documents to all lawmakers.
“Mr. Chairman, we are here to serve Nigeria. Nigerians expect us to be a serious institution. Let me make it clear: we are not against the President of Nigeria. As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I should have access to the same document the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is reading. What I have is different from his presentation. This is unacceptable.
“Please, let me finish. I represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I demand clarity. It is the decision of this committee’s leadership to allow the IGP to summarise his presentation. We need order and transparency. Let us proceed with respect and focus.
“I also believe it is important to gather the opinions of all members. This institution must reflect proper parliamentary procedure. If the IGP is reading from a different version of his speech, it violates our procedures. A motion was moved and unanimously agreed upon: the IGP should adhere to the document shared with this committee.
“Parliamentary procedures must be followed. As representatives, we vote based on vision and established rules, not emotions. Any deviation from procedure undermines the credibility of this institution. After the IGP’s presentation, all members retain the constitutional right to raise issues or act accordingly. However, preempting the process is unprofessional and counterproductive.
“Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that decorum is maintained. Let us proceed in a manner befitting the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you.”
But his demand was rejected by the majority of the committee members. He was eventually ruled out of order by the Committee Chairman, Abdulhamid Ahmed, who asked Egbetokun to proceed with his presentation.
Angered by the turnout, he stormed out of the session but not before engaging in exchange of words with some members of the House of Representatives who mocked him as he exited.
When calm returned, a ranking member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of House Navy Committee, Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau State), defended the committee’s decision to allow the IGP to continue his presentation in accordance with parliamentary rules.
According to him, it was improper for lawmakers to interject without being first recognised by the chairman.The IGP was then given the floor to continue with his presentation.
NATIONAL WAVES is miffed by the incessant poor display of parliamentary procedure by elected representatives of the people both in the Senate and the House of Representatives. This calls for the imperative of making a one week retreat a sinequanon for members elected at the National Democratic Institute so that they can be properly educated and cultured in the ethos and procedures of the parliament. This will further reduce misunderstanding arising from poor knowledge of legislative procedure and conduct.
Disagreements are a part of democracy and even healthy but it must be based on sound principles anchored on parliamentary best practices.
Fair hearing is also important since all members are representatives of their constituents, the idea of muffling the voice of other member is counterproductive and undemocratic.
If a member errs it’s proper to call such erring member to acknowledge the error and thereafter such should be allowed to take the floor. This will reduce acrimony at the Assembly.
By preventing a member from taking the floor, shows that democracy is at peril.
