The Senate witnessed a tense moment on Wednesday after
Senate President Godswill Akpabio clashed with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during
plenary over repeated attempts to raise a point of order.
The incident occurred while Akpabio was reading the
Votes and Proceedings from the previous legislative session. As senators
considered a section relating to discussions on xenophobic attacks in South
Africa, Oshiomhole attempted to interrupt proceedings with a point of order,
but Akpabio ruled him out of order based on the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as
amended).
Tension resurfaced when the Senate moved to consider
amendments to its standing rules and Oshiomhole again tried to speak despite
repeated warnings from the Senate President.
Other lawmakers, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,
backed Akpabio, insisting that points of order were not allowed at that stage
of proceedings.
The situation escalated further when Chief Whip
Senator Tahir Monguno warned Oshiomhole to comply with Senate rules or risk
disciplinary action.
A visibly irritated Akpabio then issued a stern
warning to the Edo North senator, saying:
“If you become unruly, we will use the rules to take
you out of the Senate.”
Calm was eventually restored, and the chamber
proceeded to adopt the Votes and Proceedings after motions moved by Senator
Adamu Aliero and seconded by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro.
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