PDP members walk out on Reps Speaker over Twitter ban, say we’re with Nigerians, we’ll continue to tweet

Chinda, leader of the PDP caucus in the House had said following the constitution of the committee to look into the issues surrounding the ban of Twitter, the House should urge the federal government to lift the suspension and allow Nigerians continue to use Twitter pending when the committee submits its report.

His argument was that the ban breached the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, right to fair hearing and right to freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

But the House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, stopped Chinda mid way into his speech and referred him to order 9, rule 1 sub rule 6 of the House where he read: “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the house had come to conclusion during the current session except for a substantive motion or decision.”

He then added: “The matter has been sent to relevant committee to investigate and look into the issues you are talking about and they will report to us within 10 days, that’s where we are. The committee will look into it and in 10 days we will know what action to take. You have not complied with order 9, rule 6. You are  ruled out of order.”

As Chinda was still attempting to explain himself, the speaker told him to be guided while another member called him to take his seat saying Chinda knew the rules. However, as Chinda insisted, he was shunned by the Speaker who called for other motions.

Seeing the action, Chinda said: “We will continue to tweet. We are with Nigerians. If the Attorney General wants to arrest us, let him come. While saying that, another member shouted at him to get out if he wants to get out.

PDP members were later seen going out of the chamber in droves while Speaker was busy attending to other issues.