There was a heated confrontation in the Senate on Tuesday after a former governor of Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, accused the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, of engaging in what he described as an “unparliamentary act.” The disagreement, which lasted for over 30 minutes, caused a temporary halt in the day’s legislative activities.
The drama unfolded shortly after the Senate President entered the chamber and took over proceedings from his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, who had been presiding over the plenary session. The atmosphere had been calm until Akpabio invited the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and a few other senators to approach the chair for a private discussion. It was this action that triggered a strong objection from Goje.
Standing on Order 55 (12) (a) of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended), Goje insisted that Akpabio’s decision to hold side meetings while plenary was ongoing was in clear violation of parliamentary procedure. According to the rule, no form of interaction is allowed during proceedings except when a senator is moving the business listed for the day.
Goje said:
“Interaction is not allowed except to move the business that we have been called upon to do. Mr. Senate President, what you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate. You cannot be holding a separate meeting when the Senate is in session.”
The senator further added that the Senate had effectively come to a standstill because of the side discussions, insisting that such matters should have been handled outside the chamber.
“What we are doing here, everything is at a standstill now. We are not doing business.”
Akpabio’s initial response to Goje’s complaint was simply the word “noted.” However, this remark further angered Goje, who felt that the Senate President was dismissing a serious breach of order. He asked Akpabio why he would say “noted” rather than ruling on the matter in line with parliamentary tradition, which requires the presiding officer to either sustain or overrule a point of order.
Efforts by Akpabio to calm the situation did not succeed, as Goje remained firm in his position. He continued to insist that the senators gathered around the Senate President should return to their seats so that the Senate could proceed with the day’s agenda.
In response to Goje’s accusations, Akpabio clarified that the brief meeting was necessary to determine whether the Senate should continue the session due to an important assignment at the Presidential Villa later in the day.
The Senate President said:
“Everybody that 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 have just read, whether or not we should proceed in view of a very urgent assignment at the Villa by one o’clock. Please, approach the chair so you can also be part of it.”
But Goje refused, saying:
“I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this one. I will not come. It’s unparliamentary. It’s wrong.”
Akpabio later provided further explanation about the nature of the assignment at the Presidential Villa. He informed the chamber that he needed to attend the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Launch, a yearly event led by the president to honour members of the Nigerian military.
The launch marks the beginning of nationwide activities ahead of Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which is held every January in honour of fallen soldiers and veterans. The event is significant in Nigeria’s national calendar, and top government officials are usually required to attend.
According to Akpabio, the urgency of the activity required him to hold a quick consultation with some key senators to determine whether the sitting should be suspended.
Since he assumed office in 2023, Godswill Akpabio has faced several moments of tension within the Senate. Critics have accused him of not managing the chamber with enough neutrality, while his supporters argue that he has brought order and stability to the legislative process.
The Senate, dominated by the APC, has largely aligned with the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, disagreements among senior lawmakers, especially former governors like Goje, occasionally lead to heated exchanges on the floor.
Goje himself is a political heavyweight, having served two terms as governor of Gombe State before becoming a senator. He is known for being outspoken, especially on issues of parliamentary procedure and internal democracy within the Senate.
This latest clash reflects broader internal tensions and the struggle for influence among senior members of the National Assembly.
Parliamentary rules are established to ensure that legislative sessions run smoothly and transparently. In the Senate, presiding officers are expected to maintain strict order and avoid actions that could disrupt proceedings.
Side meetings, whispering around the chair, or long interruptions without explanation can be interpreted as disrespect for the institution. This is what Goje was referring to when he described Akpabio’s action as “unparliamentary.”
His strong stance shows that many senators want strict adherence to procedure, especially at a time when the National Assembly is facing scrutiny from the public over its efficiency and transparency.
After several minutes of back-and-forth, the Senate eventually resumed its plenary, but the mood remained tense. Some senators appeared visibly uncomfortable, while others quietly supported either Akpabio or Goje.
