The Senate witnessed a tense standoff on Tuesday when Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of acting in an “unparliamentary” manner during plenary.
The confrontation began when Akpabio entered the Senate chamber, taking over from Deputy President Jibrin Barau, and immediately called Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and others to the Chair for a meeting. Goje rose to a point of order, citing Senate Standing Orders 2023 (Order 55(12)(a)) which forbids such interactions during plenary.
“Interaction is not allowed except to move the business that we have been called upon to do. What you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate,” Goje told Akpabio.
Akpabio invited Goje to join the meeting, but he refused, insisting, “I cannot be part of what is illegal and unparliamentary. Everything is at a standstill now. We are not doing business.”
Despite attempts by Akpabio to pacify him, Goje maintained his position, demanding that Senators holding the meeting leave so plenary could proceed.
Akpabio explained that the discussion was related to the Armed Forces Emblem Launch at the Presidential Villa, but Goje remained firm in his refusal.
