The House of Representatives has defended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen’s handling of Wednesday’s rowdy plenary, saying he did not stop a motion on budget implementation but merely enforced parliamentary procedures after discrepancies were discovered in the document presented on the floor.

The Green Chamber in a statement issued on Wednesday by House Spokesman Akin Rotimi, said public reactions to the incident had overlooked the real issue, which it described as a procedural breach rather than an attempt to suppress debate.

The clarification followed controversy over a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, on funding challenges affecting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and delays in implementing the capital component of the 2026 budget.

According to the statement, the Speaker had approved the motion for debate despite objections from some lawmakers.

The House said, during its presentation, the speaker observed that parts of the motion, particularly the proposed resolutions and prayers, differed significantly from the version earlier submitted for approval.

The House explained that additional prayers, which had not been included in the authenticated document approved by the Speaker, were introduced during the presentation.

It said that, in line with Order Eight, Rule 5(1) of the Standing Orders of the House, Matters of Urgent Public Importance must be submitted to the Speaker before being raised in plenary to ensure they meet the required threshold and that members deliberate on an authenticated text.

“To ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the House’s records, the Speaker directed that the officially submitted version be read and invited members of the Minority Caucus to verify the discrepancy,” the statement said.

The House stressed that the issue was not the substance of the motion but the alteration of an approved document without following the required parliamentary procedure.

“It is important to emphasise that the sponsoring member was not prevented from raising the issue before the House. The concern was solely about ensuring compliance with established procedures and maintaining the integrity of legislative records,” the statement added.

The House noted that members are expected to present motions strictly in the form submitted and approved for consideration, while acknowledging that lawmakers continue to deepen their understanding of parliamentary practice.

Rotimi disclosed that, in line with the prayers contained in the authenticated motion, Speaker Abbas referred the matter to an ad hoc committee for further legislative examination and a report.

The clarification comes after Wednesday’s heated plenary, during which opposition lawmakers protested the Speaker’s refusal to entertain fresh prayers in the motion, including a proposal to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain delays in the release of capital funds for government projects.

The disagreement disrupted proceedings before order was restored.