Some senators who were privy to what transpired said the misunderstanding among the leaders of the senate was inching towards an anticlimax.
One of the senators, who requested anonymity, said the announcement by Akpabio led to an argument about whether the chamber had fulfilled its constitutional mandate of sitting for at least 181 days.
“An argument ensued on whether we have completed 181 days or not, and this is something they ought to have discussed among themselves at the leadership level,” the senator said.
“Akpabio was saying that there will be NEC (National Executive Committee) meeting (of the APC) on Thursday, so we were supposed to sit on Wednesday to close ahead of the NEC meeting. As he was speaking, the Senate Leader stood up and raised a point of order, saying we are constitutionally supposed to sit for 181 days, and from what he sees, we have not completed those days,” the senator added.
While Bamidele’s observation was said to be technically accurate, senators were reportedly surprised that he challenged the Senate President so openly.
“It was wrong for him to do that in plenary. To be fair, Akpabio showed statesmanship by calmly cautioning him to approach the chair,” another lawmaker said.
The senator added that concerns had long existed over a lack of cohesion among presiding officers.
“We have always heard that he doesn’t carry the Senate leadership along. From the Deputy President of the Senate to the Senate Leader, they are all mostly not aware of it. Akpabio is more like a sole administrator; he goes to the Senate chamber directly and doesn’t hold leadership meetings regularly. That is where the problem is,” the source said.
Following Bamidele’s intervention, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) also raised concerns, criticising the leadership for failing to meet beforehand to agree on a unified position. His remarks prompted Akpabio to call for an executive session to discuss the matter behind closed doors.
DAILY TRUST.
