ABUJA – The upper chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a turn of event as senators took sides during the clash between President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume.
The development, which made Akpabio to call for an emergency closed door session of the Senate, some vested interests in the upper chamber said may degenerate in the days ahead if not well managed.
It was gathered that Ndume, who was Akpabio’s Man Friday during Akpabio’s campaign, suddenly fell out of favour when positions of Senate leadership were shared.
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Ndume, who worked seriously for the emergence of Akpabio as President of the Senate, was favoured to become the Senate Leader, until the presidency upturned the move, but was eventually given the Chief Whip.
During plenary on Tuesday, Senator Ndume, who was not happy the way he was treated by the President of the Senate over an issue on the floor of the chamber, expressed his dissatisfaction by storming out of the chamber.
This led the Senate to hurriedly go into closed door to douse the tension on the floor of the House.
Crisis started few minutes after commencement of plenary, when Ndume raised a point of order on alleged errors committed that was not corrected by the President of the Senate.
While some senators backed the observation by Ndume, others saw it as a way to douse tension.
The error in question was a motion moved by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP: Kano South) for debate on the need for re-opening of Nigeria-Niger border, without stating the title of his motion.
Standing on Order 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, Ndume requested the President of the Senate to allow for correction of any error made or observed in plenary.
According to Ndume,“This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws, rules and procedures. If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed, they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceeding.”
Akpabio quickly stated that he has ruled and cannot revisit the issue and subsequently ruled Ndume out of order.
In an effort to sustain Ndume’s argument, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC: Kogi West) came through another point of order but was also swiftly ruled out of order by the President of the Senate.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, quickly rose to read Order 16, which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any senator for correction or review of earlier decision taken.
Akpabio, however, sustained Barau’s point of order, a development that angered Ndume, who raised another point of order (Order 54) to seek correction of perceived error.
But without being allowed to make full presentation of his argument, Akpabio ruled Ndume out of order again.
Piqued by the display action, Ndume packed his documents and furiously stormed out of the chamber.
Confused by the scenario, senators hurriedly went into closed door, apparently to douse tension created by the situation.
Some senators who spoke about the situation at hand took sides. Some supported Akpabio’s action while others vilified him.
It would be recalled that Ali Ndume had on October 13, 2023, slammed Akpabio for approving the passage of some executive bills without seeking the input of other members.
Ndume knocked the Senate President for passing certain bills without formal reading and members’ contributions.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Senator Ogoshi Onawo, representing Nasarawa State, also roasted Akpabio’s quest to pass some bills hastily.
In his words,“Very sensitive bills are brought and are expected to be passed with the speed of light, which is not good for the country.
“Every senator here is supposed to be adequately informed; he does his research and makes a positive contribution, but in a situation where even money bills are brought and expected to be passed within two hours, it wouldn’t be better for the country.
“Sir, you are on the seat today; history will judge you that things like this are not good for this country”.
Responding to Onawo’s comment, Akpabio, who could not defend himself, said only said,”If the bills we pass are good for the country, history will judge me right. I don’t think we would come here to pass a bill that’s not good for the interest of Nigerians. So, your point of order is noted.”
