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Rowdy Session in House as Lawmakers Clash Over Lagos Trade Fair Complex Probe
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By Gloria Ikibah
Tension flared in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as members engaged in a heated debate over which committee should take charge of investigating alleged irregularities surrounding the allocation and management of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The dispute arose after Rep. Ademorin Kuye moved a motion of urgent public importance, seeking an inquiry into reports of unauthorised sales and mismanagement of government assets at the complex. suggesting that the Committee on Public Assets should spearhead the investigation.
However, this proposal was challenged by the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Francis Waive, who argued that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Commerce. His objection triggered a series of exchanges among lawmakers, each side defending the oversight powers of their respective committees.
The debate intensified as Rep. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi cited the House Standing Orders, specifically Order 109, Rules 1 and 2, to support the argument that all federal government properties, including the Lagos Trade Fair Complex, fall within the purview of the Committee on Public Assets.
According to Gagdi, the complex remains a federal property, and oversight responsibility should therefore rest with the Public Assets Committee rather than Commerce.
The chamber remained divided as members continued to argue the merits of both positions, highlighting broader concerns about committee jurisdictions and accountability in the management of national assets.
“If you check Order 109, it clearly states that the Committee on Public Assets oversees ministries and agencies charged with the management and disposal of public assets. The Lagos Trade Fair is one of such public assets,” Gagdi said.
However, Rep. Mark Esset disagreed, insisting that the Trade Fair Complex falls under the purview of the Committee on Commerce.
“Trade fair is not a public asset being sold. It is a commercial entity, and the House Rules on page 153 clearly list it under the functions of the Committee on Commerce. If the House has made a mistake by its earlier decision, we have the powers to reverse it,” Esset stated.
Amid the escalating argument, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Isa J.C., urged his colleagues to exercise restraint and adhere to procedure. He suggested the creation of a joint committee, proposing that the Committee on Commerce take the lead, with the Committee on Public Assets and other relevant committees participating. However, the motion failed to receive a seconder and did not progress.
Rep. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi later proposed a different approach, supporting a joint committee but insisting that the Committee on Public Assets should lead the inquiry since the issue centred on the ownership and potential sale of federal property.
He argued that while the activities at the complex relate to commerce, the underlying matter involved public assets belonging to the Federal Government.
Adding a new twist, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Rep. James Shai Wubarka, informed the chamber that his committee had already begun oversight work on the complex, including two visits to Lagos. He cautioned that reassigning the investigation would undermine his committee’s ongoing efforts and encroach on its jurisdiction.
As tensions mounted, the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu stepped in to restore order, clarifying that the motion before the House concerned the allocation of the premises used for trade fairs rather than the commercial operations themselves. To end the deadlock, the Deputy Speaker ruled that an ad hoc committee made up of members from both the Public Assets and Commerce Committees would be set up to conduct a joint investigation.
Despite the ruling, disagreements persisted, and when the main motion was eventually put to a voice vote, it was rejected by the majority. The development led to a noisy and tense session, forcing the Deputy Speaker to call for calm. The House later went into a closed-door meeting to address the dispute and chart a way forward.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
President Tinubu Will Commission Roads 01 and 02 Linking Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello Way Today
#FCTRenewedHope
#FCTProjectsCommissioning
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BEWARE: FG warns 26 States of flood, places, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Adamawa, Benue, others as critical risk areas
The Federal Government has alerted residents of 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the possibility of flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country.
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under its Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The ministry said several communities across the country have been identified as areas that could face serious flood threats during the period.
According to the forecast released on June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in many locations, raising concerns about possible flooding in vulnerable communities.
States placed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
In Abia State, the affected communities include Aba, Arochukwu and Umuahia. In Adamawa, the ministry listed Jimeta and Numan, while Eket, Oron and Uyo were named in Akwa Ibom. In Anambra, Onitsha Inland Town and Awka Urban Drainage Corridors were identified as vulnerable locations.
Bayelsa communities such as Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe Town were also listed among areas that could be affected by flooding.
Other locations mentioned include Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala in Benue State; Calabar Metropolis and Creek Town in Cross River State; Asaba, Warri and Sapele in Delta State; and Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke in Ebonyi State.
The ministry also identified Benin City Urban Core and Auchi in Edo State, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as well as Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Town in Enugu State.
In Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe were listed, while Lokoja and Ajaokuta were named in Kogi State. Communities such as Ilorin, Jebba and Pategi in Kwara State were also included in the warning.
Several parts of Lagos State were equally listed among the areas at risk.
These include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.
In Niger State, Bida, Minna, Mokwa, Suleja and Kontagora were identified, while Abeokuta, Ota and Sagamu were listed in Ogun State.
The flood alert further covered Akure, Owo and Okitipupa in Ondo State; Oshogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Osun State; Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo in Oyo State; as well as Port Harcourt Urban Core, Bonny, Ahoada and Omoku in Rivers State.
Apart from the states under the critical-risk category, the ministry also placed parts of Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states under a high-risk category.
Communities listed in this group include Yola North, Yola South, Mubi and Gurin in Adamawa State; Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse in the FCT; Birnin Kebbi and Argungu in Kebbi State; Bako in Kogi State; and Keffi, Lafia, Karu and Toto in Nasarawa State.
The warning also covered Jos and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Serti and Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
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