Bayelsa Speaker, lawmaker in shouting match over money

Posted by admin Bayelsa, Headlines, State News Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Fresh crack emerged among members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Wednesday following an altercation between the Speaker of the House, Mr. Kombowei Benson, and the former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Fini Angaye.

The incident occurred three weeks after power-brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party, including President Goodluck Jonathan, intervened in the impeachment saga which initially created confusion in the house.

Our correspondent learnt that there was a shouting match between Angaye and the Speaker which almost resulted in exchange of blows.

A source from the Assembly complex told our correspondent that Angaye stormed the office of the Speaker and banged the Speaker’s table as he insisted that an undisclosed money be paid.

He was said to have threatened to deal with Speaker if the money was not paid and refused to leave the office.

He was reported to have said, “Pay me my money now. If you don’t pay me money, there will not be sitting of this House”.

The source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “We don’t know the money he was requesting for. But he was serious and showed a lot of disrespect to the Speaker. It took the intervention of other lawmakers to prevent a fight between the two.”

Aggrieved by the conduct of Angaye, some of the lawmakers brought it to the floor of the House under a matter of urgent public importance.

A member representing Yenagoa II Constituency, Ebipaudo Fekeweimo, later moved the motion and called for a disciplinary measures against Angaye.

He condemned the act, saying Angaye had shown disrespect to the office of the Speaker.

The House resolved to set up a five-man committee to investigate the matter and make recommendations.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach Angaye, who was absent at the sitting of the House, proved abortive. He refused to answer his telephone calls.

via Punchwp_posts