The House of Representatives on Tuesday descended into a heated argument over which committee should probe alleged irregularities in the management and sale of assets at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The dispute erupted after Ademorin Kuye moved a motion of urgent public importance calling for an investigation, proposing that the Committee on Public Assets handle the probe. However, Francis Waive, Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, objected, insisting that trade fairs fall under the Committee on Commerce according to House Standing Orders.
The disagreement split lawmakers. Yusuf Gagdi argued that the complex, being federal property, falls under the Committee on Public Assets, while Mark Esset countered that it is a commercial enterprise and should therefore be handled by the Commerce Committee.
Deputy Minority Whip Ali Isa urged calm and suggested a joint probe by both committees. Though not immediately adopted, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen later ruled that an ad hoc committee—comprising members of both Public Assets and Commerce—should jointly investigate the matter.
The decision, however, failed to quell tensions, and the session briefly turned rowdy before the House went into a closed-door meeting. The motion was eventually stepped down pending further consultations.
