Rep at risk of ‘Jibrin treatment’ over comment on election reordering bill

Johnson Agbonayinma, a member of the house of representatives, from Edo state, risks being suspended by the house over alleged abuse of office.

Agbonayinma is said to have made demeaning comments about the lower legislative chamber and thus, abused his privileges as a lawmaker.

At plenary on Wednesday, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, from Rivers state, raised a point of order to the effect.

He quoted Agbonayinma — who was not present in the chambers — as accusing the house of not following due process in the passage of the bill seeking to amend the electoral act.

He said the lawmaker made a comment that “denigrates” the integrity of the house.

What Agbonayinma said

Speaking during a Channels TV programme on Tuesday, the lawmaker said: “If we have to make laws that [are] for the good of the people, we must follow due process. The question that is the bone of contention now is, have we followed the due process?

“This shouldn’t be the issue where we have to start fighting each other. Nigerians are suffering. We must put Nigerians first. This has to do with the laws of the federation that every Nigerian must stand with.”

‘Jibrin treatment’

Abiente said by making the remarks, Agbonayinma abused his privilege as a member of the house.

Speaking in the same vein, Jerry Alagboso, from Imo state, said the lawmakers need to guard their comments especially while speaking on issues concerning the house.

He said, “the house should give him (Agbonayinma) the same treatment as given to one of our members who just came back from sabbatical leave (in reference to Abdulmumin Jibrin, who just returned from suspension)”.

Responding, Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house, said the lawmaker may have made the comments because “he is new”, noting that the lawmakers have passed several acts similar to the electoral act.

He said Agbonayinma “cannot teach the house how to amend electoral acts” after which he referred the matter to the committee on ethics and privileges, “for the sake of fair hearing”.

The lawmaker risks being suspended if found guilty by the committee.