The President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Akpabio speaking at the end of the meeting with the President emphasised the unity and maturity of the Nigerian Senate, even amidst disagreements.
The Senate President while addressing State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting with President Tinubu said, “In the parliament, sometimes you disagree to agree. But we will never get to the point of throwing chairs. The Senate is too mature, full of matured people.”
Akpabio’s visit to the Aso Rock Villa comes hours after the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, stormed out of the chamber.
The crisis started in the Senate after the commencement of the day’s session on Tuesday when Ndume raised a point of order to draw Akpabio’s attention to alleged procedural errors he committed.
Ndume had referenced a motion on the need for re-opening the Nigeria-Niger border, which was moved by the Senator representing Kano South senatorial district, Sumaila Kawu which Akpabio allowed to be debated without first having the official title of the motion read as the normal procedure.
Ndume, standing on Order 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, requested that the Senate President allow for the correction of any error made or observed during plenary.
Akpabio, while Ndume was still speaking, swiftly ruled him out of order, saying it could not be revisited since he had ruled on issues raised.
Ndume during the argument picked up his documents and a few other belongings and stormed out of the Senate chamber.
His action, unexpected, led the Senate to dissolve into a closed-door session.
The Senate President after the meeting with Tinubu, however, dismissed any crisis in the legislature.
He stated, “We are all working in one accord. There is no problem at all. Even if some people disagree with some of the happenings in the Senate, it is only the majority decision that is going to prevail.”
Akpabio further explained that any arising disagreements are swiftly handled in closed sessions, ensuring unity and solidarity are maintained.
The Senate President, while highlighting the Senate’s commitment to the nation’s interests, said, “We are politicians, no permanent hatred but permanent interest. That interest is the interest of the nation.”
He emphasised the Senate’s role in supporting the President and his administration through legislation and oversight functions, all aimed at moving the country forward.
In his meeting with President Tinubu, Akpabio said he discussed the upcoming 10th Assembly retreat taking place in Akwa Ibom State.
He sought the President’s support for representation at the retreat, which was granted.
Akpabio added, “I came to inform the President of the first 10th Assembly retreat which is taking place tomorrow in Akwa Ibom State.
“We are moving the Senate all the way to Akwa Ibom for the next four days.
“Thereafter, I will be travelling personally to Angola to attend the internal parliamentary union, so before he sees me, it will probably take another nine days. So, I needed to inform him.”