Stop Making Provocative Statements-Rep Tells Lai Mohammed

A member of the House of Representative Albert Sam-Tsokwa, who is also the House Chairman on Committee on Rules and Business, has cautioned inflammatory statements being made by some leaders.

Honourable Tsokwa was speaking on the issue of the $9.3 million seized by the South African Government. Recall that All Progressive Congress through its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had criticized the National Assembly for not handling the issue the way it ought to.

“It is glaring that the APC publicity secretary was not conversant with our House rules when he said the Deputy Speaker manipulated the proceedings on the motion bordering on the $9.3m arms deal in South Africa”.

“The DS acted as a patriotic Nigerian as he considered the interest of Nigerians above any political lineage following our House standing Orders to the latter”.

“The motion in question was an investigative one seeking investigation into the alleged arms deal in South Africa which does not need any debate as this might jeopardise the proposed investigation,” Tsokwa said while briefing correspondents over the weekend.

“The House is precluded from discussing any issue that is pending in court. Our rules also say motions on infrastructure, security and investigation are not to be debated. The motion on $9.3 million seeks an investigation, so it shouldn’t, couldn’t and mustn’t have been debated. That was exactly what happened,” Tsokwa said.

He further stressed that “the mover wasn’t supposed to take it that day, because it wasn’t on the Order Paper. He insisted on taking it because he said he was away on Speaker’s errand. But any matter that is not on the Notice Paper can’t be included on the Order Paper. Some members were against taking the motion, but the Deputy Speaker allowed him.”

He gave further explanation as to how decisions are taken in the House:

“The decision wasn’t taken on the basis of party. It wasn’t all APC members that voted against it and vice-versa. Let me use this medium to call on our leaders to stop making provocative statements that will tear this country apart. If you’re ignorant of how the House operates, I’ll advise that you keep your mouth shut,” he said.