The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking the establishment of the South-East Development Commission.

It was rejected by the lawmakers in a voice vote after many of them said adequate consultations were not made before it was presented.

The bill had initially been stepped down on Thursday, leading to a rowdy session in the House as lawmakers from the South East rejected the decision.

After order was restored to the House, the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, explained to the lawmakers that it was stepped down because the sponsor of the bill, Honourable Chukwuka Onyema, was said to be absent from plenary.

The lawmakers then went on to hold deliberations on the bill after which the Speaker called for a voice vote and it was rejected.