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Nigeria: The lower house of parliament becomes a fighting ring

By on June 24, 2010
Supposed to be a debate about procedures of an internal corruption case, that runs in skirmishes within the Parliament. The debate is about the chairman of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, accused by a front of progressive MPs, for embezzling the equivalent of 60 million dollars in public funds over the past two years.

These eleven deputies are demanding a criminal investigation and gave the owner one week to resign from the chair. A procedure denounced by MPs loyal to Dimeji Bankole. They in turn accuse the eleven members of “political intrigue”. The session of Tuesday, June 22nd thus came to a sudden end and members of parliament were engaged in a well ordered session of pugilism: punches, whistles, usage of teargas, muscular evacuations and ripped clothing. Two legislators were injured and several journalists were molested and some of their effects seized.
This is not the first time that the Nigerian Chamber turns into a boxing ring where all shots are allowed. Two years ago, legislators had tucked up their sleeves to carry knocks and throw chairs and shoes during the August meeting. The scene was broadcasted live on television.
But this time, it happens in the presence of young kids, who came into the chamber for a field practice. The scene was unanimously condemned by the press, and will make probably some political victims in the days to come.

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