A heated exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Danjuma Goje of Gombe Central disrupted proceedings in the upper chamber on Tuesday, leading to a tense and disorderly session.
The confrontation began when Akpabio entered the chamber and reclaimed the presiding seat from Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau. Shortly after, he summoned a group of senators for a side discussion while plenary was still in session, a move that drew sharp criticism from Goje.
Citing Order 55 (12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), Goje argued that such interactions during plenary are not permitted unless directly related to the business at hand. “Mr. Senate President, what you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate,” he declared.
Akpabio attempted to defuse the situation by inviting Goje to join the meeting, but the former Gombe State governor refused, insisting that the gathering was inappropriate and should have taken place outside the chamber. “I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this one. I will not come. It’s unparliamentary. It’s wrong,” Goje maintained.
Despite Akpabio’s explanation that the meeting was a brief consultation regarding a scheduled event at the Presidential Villa, Goje remained firm in his objection. He accused the Senate President of halting legislative business and setting a poor precedent.
The standoff lasted nearly thirty minutes, with Goje repeatedly calling for the senators involved in the aside meeting to return to their seats so that the day’s agenda could proceed. Akpabio, in response, reiterated that the discussion was in line with Senate procedures and necessary due to the urgency of the external engagement.
The incident highlights growing tensions within the Senate and raises questions about procedural adherence and leadership dynamics in the chamber.
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