A disagreement over legislative procedure erupted in the House of Representatives on Thursday after Minority Leader Fred Agbedi challenged Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu over the handling of a motion seeking a one-year tuition fee waiver for students in federal tertiary institutions.
The disagreement followed the decision to step down the motion, prompting Agbedi to question the procedure adopted by the presiding officer during plenary.
Agbedi, who cited Order 8, Rule 1, of the House rules concerning the arrangement of business, argued that the handling of the matter departed from established legislative procedure.
The Minority Leader expressed concern that the House Leader had been invited to address issues relating to the motion after it had already been stepped down.
According to Agbedi, once the motion had been withdrawn from consideration, further proceedings on the matter should have been guided by the applicable rules governing the conduct of business in the chamber.
His objection centred on whether the Deputy Speaker’s decision to allow further discussion after the motion had been stepped down was consistent with the House’s standing orders.
The exchange highlighted the importance of procedural rules in determining how motions are introduced, debated, deferred or withdrawn during legislative proceedings.
The motion at the centre of the disagreement sought a one-year waiver of tuition fees for students attending federal tertiary institutions.
The proposal comes amid continuing concerns about the cost of higher education in Nigeria, where many students and their families face financial pressure from tuition-related expenses, accommodation, transportation and other educational costs.
A temporary tuition waiver could offer relief to eligible students if adopted and implemented, although the scope, funding arrangements and eligibility requirements would need to be clearly defined.
However, the available details of Thursday’s proceedings do not establish that the proposed waiver was approved by the House.
The disagreement also underscores the responsibility of presiding officers to ensure that legislative business is conducted in accordance with the chamber’s established rules.
As lawmakers continue deliberations on issues affecting education and the welfare of students, adherence to parliamentary procedure remains essential to maintaining order and ensuring that motions receive proper consideration.