The First Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has issued an apology to the public following the chaotic incident that erupted during the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30.

What was meant to be a routine vetting process descended into chaos as members from both sides clashed over the number of nominees to be vetted. The dispute led to the destruction of tables and microphones at the venue.

Addressing the public on Friday, January 31, Chairman Ahiafor read a statement apologizing for the incident that occurred during the previous day's vetting.

“Honourable members, last night during our sitting, what started as a disagreement between members of the Committee with regard to vetting some of His Excellency the President’s ministerial nominees degenerated into full-blown physical altercations between members of the committee, leading to the destruction of some furniture and microphones,” he recalled.

He emphasized the significant effects of the unexpected turn of events, explaining that the damage to essential items had disrupted the operations of the committee and tarnished the institution’s reputation and integrity.

“The damage to these items has affected the functionality of the committee and has also tarnished the dignity of the institution and its members,” he read.

“The action that unfolded last night has drawn significant concern from the public and serves as a cause for reflection on the conduct and professionalism of our Members of Parliament and the institution of Parliament,” he added, calling for a reflection on the incident.

Chairman Ahiafor further condemned the unfortunate incident, taking full responsibility for what transpired. He offered an apology to the Speaker of Parliament, the leadership of Parliament, and the public.

“We would like to offer an unqualified apology to the Right Honourable Speaker, the leadership and Members of Parliament, as well as the general public for the unfortunate incident,” he said.

He reiterated the committee's unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the country, emphasizing the importance of collective effort and sustained progress.

“We would like to reiterate that we are committed to working for the growth of our democracy,” he reaffirmed.

Chairman Ahiafor also urged members of the Committee to conduct themselves in a manner befitting of Parliament, reminding them that the House is an ‘Honourable one.’

He assured the public that appropriate measures would be implemented to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

“We assure you that the appropriate measures will be put in place to address this issue and prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future,” he stated.

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