The House of Representatives was divided against itself over a bill seeking to create a South East Development Commission.
Members from the South -East region and others in support of the bill accused their Northern counterparts led by the Speaker of frustrating the second reading of the bill.
National Assembly Correspondent, Joke Adisa reports that deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuma Onyeama, who hails from Anambra state desires the creation of a commission that will tackle the menace of poverty, reconstruction and rehbailitation of roads in the South East region.
But he was not on seat when time came to lead debates on the general principles of the bill.
This led the Speaker to step down the bill for the second day running, an action that drew protests from the lovers of the bill.
Those for and against shouted one another down, the Sponsor resurfaced to take the bill and members lent their voices in support.
But majority of Northern members rose stoutly against the proposed commission not satisfied, the Speaker put the question again.
This led to South East lawmakers to stage a walk out just as rumors began to fly that Onyeama had stepped down as Deputy Minority Leader in protest.
But fielding questions from newsmen moments after, Onyeama accused the Speaker of deliberately ruling against the bill just as a member from Katsina state defended Dogara.
The South East caucus insists the last has not been heard about the bill.
