Friday, December 13, 2024 -Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday, December 12 walked out of the Senate chamber after Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to entertain her motion regarding ongoing demolitions in the nation's capital.
Kingibe had earlier notified the Senate of her intent to move a motion
to probe the demolitions, and it was agreed that the matter would be discussed
the following day. However, when her motion was not listed on the order paper,
she raised the issue during the session.
Responding, Akpabio stated, “We took a matter of urgent public
importance, and by our rules, we should only take one a day.”
“What I am saying is that you can always raise it, and when you raise
it, we can put the question to our colleagues. Sometimes they would say bring
it as a formal motion the next day.
“It is not on the order paper… so it does not appear that women are
marginalised. Senate leader, can you refer us to the proceedings of the Senate?
“Because some of these things are about procedure. The Senate cannot go
up and down. If we have already started the orders of the day, we cannot go
back.”
Frustrated, Kingibe left the chamber in protest. She later returned and
apologised for her actions. Following her apology, she was permitted to move
her motion, leading the Senate to resolve to investigate the demolitions in the
FCT.
The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), under the leadership
of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has recently intensified the demolition of estates
and shanties deemed "illegally" constructed. Wike has defended the
demolitions, stating that some of the affected structures pose security risks
to the nation’s capital.
0 Comments