Nigeria, Nov. 13 -- A mild drama played out on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday after Peter Uzokwe, a member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo, Anambra State, raised a motion on the decorum of the House during plenary.

Mr Uzokwe, a member of the Youth Progressive Party (YPP), had repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order shortly after the formal announcement of two defections earlier in the day but was not recognised by the presiding officer, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, until much later in the session.

When finally granted permission to speak, Mr Uzokwe began by invoking a proverb from his community, saying, "Mr Speaker, there is an adage in my place that says an elder will not be in the house and...