A dramatic scene unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday after Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) openly confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of disrupting proceedings and engaging in conduct that contravenes parliamentary norms.
Akpabio entered the chamber at about 12:10 p.m., while plenary was already ongoing under the leadership of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. He assumed control without incident as lawmakers continued deliberation on scheduled bills. However, the session soon descended into disarray.
Shortly after taking over, Akpabio summoned Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for a private consultation at the chair. The discussion gradually expanded to include Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), and Barau Jibrin.
What appeared to be a brief sidebar extended for more than 40 minutes, effectively halting plenary. Order in the chamber broke down as senators drifted from their seats and formed small clusters of private discussions, leaving the hall noisy and visibly disorganised.
Alarmed by the prolonged disruption, Goje rose on a point of order, citing Order 55 of the Senate Standing Rules, which prohibits private interactions that obstruct active proceedings.
“Interaction is not allowed. What is happening now is unparliamentary,” Goje declared.
“You should have taken this meeting outside. They should follow you outside. When we come to parliament, we do parliamentary business. Everything is at a standstill.”
He insisted that the gathering around the Senate President violated the decorum expected of the chamber and urged that proceedings be suspended if necessary.
“We are not doing our actual business. We should go on recess; when we are ready, we can return and meet you,” he added.
Although Akpabio noted the point of order, Goje insisted it must be upheld and demanded an immediate end to the chair-side meeting.
“They should leave there so we can move on. Or they can go inside, or we can go on recess. Or we can go out and leave you—when we are ready, we’ll come back and meet you,” he said.
Responding, Akpabio explained that the senators had been invited for a brief consultation regarding an urgent assignment scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Presidential Villa.
“Everyone you see here was invited by the chair for a brief discussion in continuation of today’s sitting and in line with the order you’ve just read, to determine whether we should proceed in view of a very urgent assignment at the Villa by 1:00 p.m.,” he said.
In an attempt to ease the tension, Akpabio invited Goje to join the consultation.
“And please approach the chair so that you can be part of it,” he added.
Goje declined.
“I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this. It is unparliamentary. It is wrong,” he replied.
The exchange is the latest in a string of confrontations involving Akpabio and fellow lawmakers since he assumed office.
In October 2023, Senator Ali Ndume stormed out of plenary over accusations of bias and procedural irregularities. He was later removed as Chief Whip in July 2024 after criticising the administration.
In November 2023, Senator Tony Nwoye protested what he described as the imposition of minority leaders.
In March 2024, Senator Abdul Ningi accused the Senate leadership of budget padding, leading to his suspension.
In December 2024, Senator Ireti Kingibe walked out after her motion on FCT demolitions was ignored, though she later apologised.
In February 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended amid a dispute over seat reassignment, which later escalated to the courts.
In March 2025, Senator Seriake Dickson confronted Akpabio over debates on emergency rule in Rivers State, accusing him of attempting to “silence dissent.”
Tuesday’s confrontation adds to the mounting friction surrounding Akpabio’s leadership style and raises fresh concerns about the Senate’s internal cohesion as it continues its legislative agenda.
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