From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The member of the House of Representatives, representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Cyril Hart, has accused the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, of discriminating against first time members, during debate,whenever he is presiding.
Hart, who spoke under matters of privilege, stated this at Tuesday’s plenary, during debate on motion by Ahmed Jaha, on last week suicide bombing in Gwoza, Borno State.
Kalu, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary, had recognized Babajimi Benson, Yusuf Gadgi and former deputy speaker, Idris Wase amongst to contribute to the debate, when the Rivers lawmaker shouted “Point of Order”. “Point of Order.”
When the deputy speaker recognized him to speak, Hart, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he has observed that each time Kalu presides over plenary, first time numbers are not given opportunity to speak.
The lawmaker, amidst cheers from other first time members, said “Virtually all those who spoke are ranking members. This is what you always do. You need to allow first-timers to make their contributions. “ Kalu, in his response noted that “there is no discrimination in the parliament. I was also a first-timer at the time.”
Thereafter, he walked out of the chamber.