BREAKING: Rowdy Session Rocks House Of Reps Over Trump’s Threats
A heated session erupted in the House of Representatives on Tuesday following a motion seeking to counter what lawmakers described as “misleading international narratives on religious killings in Nigeria,” in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Ayodeji Alao-Akala (APC, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Federal Constituency, Oyo State), sparked uproar on the floor, forcing the House into a closed-door (executive) session after repeated shouts of “order!” and heated exchanges across party lines.
Introducing the motion under Order 8 Rule 5, Alao-Akala described it as a matter of “urgent national importance,” urging lawmakers to reject what he called “foreign media propaganda and distorted Western narratives” portraying Nigeria as a nation rife with religious killings.
“Mr. Speaker, I seek the leave of the House to suspend the relevant rules for me to take this matter of public importance on the need to address misleading international narratives on religious killings in Nigeria and strengthen domestic and diplomatic engagement for national cohesion,” Alao-Akala declared.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya (APC, Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Kwara State), who backed the call for a parliamentary response, describing it as “an all-important national issue that demands immediate intervention.”
But moments after Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote, chaos broke out. Some lawmakers shouted over one another, accusing colleagues of politicizing the matter, prompting the Speaker to repeatedly call for calm.
“Order! Order, Honourable Members! Sit down!” Abbas urged as tempers flared.
Amid the escalating tension, the Speaker directed that the House resolve into an executive session. The motion to that effect was moved by Hon. Oswaembale Okumo (PDP, Presidential/Confederal Constituency) and seconded by another member.
“Those in support that we go into executive session, say aye,” the Speaker ruled, with a chorus of voices responding in the affirmative.
He then announced, “The House is hereby resolved to executive session. Please, you can leave the hall,” ordering journalists and aides out of the gallery.
The controversy comes days after Trump, in a statement, accused Nigeria’s government of “failing to protect Christians,” warning that the U.S. could cut aid or “deploy its Department of War” against terror groups if “religious persecution” continues.
Trump’s comments have provoked sharp reactions in Nigeria, with several political and religious leaders condemning what they called “reckless interference” in the country’s internal affairs.
