The Nigerian Senate has passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, amid rumours of an impeachment plot against him.
The decision was made after Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP-Kebbi North) raised concerns about reports that some northern senators were allegedly planning to remove Akpabio from office.
Addressing his colleagues during a Senate session, Abdullahi cited Orders 10 and 42 of the Senate Standing Rules and dismissed the impeachment rumors as false.
“There is no attempt by any caucus among the northern senators to bring discord or any attempt to challenge the unity of what you are doing in the Senate,” Abdullahi said.
He further expressed his displeasure with individuals who, in his view, were attempting to create division within the Senate along regional lines.
“My privilege has been breached. Anyone trying to bring division across any regional line is undermining the progress of our democracy and the capacity of this institution to deliver,” he said.
Abdullahi urged the Senate to remain united under Akpabio’s leadership and focus on their collective mission to move the country forward.
He called for a vote of confidence to be passed, which would serve as a clear message that the Senate stands behind Akpabio.
The vote was supported by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi Central), who echoed Abdullahi’s sentiments and emphasized the importance of unity within the Senate.
“I think it is important for some of us that are probably being seen as the front liners, to say, without a doubt, that we enforce our vote of confidence in both you, the President, and the entire leadership of the National Assembly,” Ningi said.
He stressed that the Senate’s unity was critical to ensuring that it could deliver on its responsibilities to the Nigerian people.
In response, Senate President Akpabio expressed his gratitude for the show of support and vowed to continue leading the Senate with integrity.
“On behalf of my brother, the Deputy Senate President, and the entire leadership, I assure you that the unity and the bond existing between us and the Senate will continue,” Akpabio said.
He dismissed the rumors of impeachment, attributing them to social media speculations designed to sow discord.
“No amount of people, no social media will come here to break that bond,” Akpabio declared. “We are confident in this place; in the coming months and the coming years, we will justify the confidence that you have placed in us.”
Impeachment rumors surrounding Akpabio have gained momentum in recent weeks, with reports suggesting that some northern senators were unhappy with his leadership.
The rumors, however, were quashed by Senate members who insisted that no such plot existed.
Senate President Akpabio has faced various challenges since taking office, but he has managed to retain the support of key senators. His leadership has been marked by efforts to unify the Senate and promote bipartisan collaboration.
The vote of confidence reaffirms his leadership and signals that the Senate remains united, despite attempts to create division.
