The House of Representatives had a rowdy session on Tuesday 23rd July 2019 over an amendment to a motion of urgent public importance urging lawmakers to declare the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), an illegal group.
Moving the motion, Hon. Shamsudeen Bello (APC: Kano) stated that the actions of the group during a protest on Monday 22nd July, 2019 led to the killing of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Umar, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member named Mr. Precious Owolabi and several other victims. He also described the group’s actions of vandalizing private and public properties as “terrorizing” and threatening the peace and security of the country before calling on the House to outlaw the group as its activities contravene the 2011 Terrorism Act.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Luke Onofiok (PDP: Akwa Ibom) suggested that the House invite respective heads of security agencies to explain their challenges in view of finding a lasting solution to Nigeria’s security crisis. He also mourned what he referred to as the invaluable intellectual and human capacity that the country had lost from the death of the late Deputy Commissioner of Police, the corps member and other victims killed by the group and commiserated with their families.
The House leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC: Kano) also added that that he had engaged with the group following an earlier resolution by the House to dialogue and listen to their agitations. However, he was dismayed when the group invaded the National Assembly on 9th July; injuring its security agents and destroying public and private properties. He stated being completely surprised by their action as he had reassured the group, (a day to their invasion) that he would convey their agitations to the leadership of the National Assembly. He also viewed their actions as threatening to National Assembly’s symbol of democracy and role in ensuring that the people’s voices are heard.
The House however turned into a rowdy session after Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu (PDP: Anambra) moved an amendment to the motion calling on the Kaduna State Government to obey the Court Orders granting bail to the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. Although the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC: Lagos) put the matter to a voice vote he could not clearly decide on the resolution as an equal number of Members appeared to be in support and against the motion. This forced the Speaker to call for Members in support of the Motion to occupy the left wing while those against should occupy the right wing of the chambers.
This nonetheless made the House to become more rowdy with Members screaming on opposing sides; leading the Speaker to call for an Executive session. The issue was finally laid to rest when the House reconvened from the session and set up an Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Doguwa to interface with the Executive arm to resolve the matter.
