Ndume: In a heated session during Tuesday’s Senate plenary session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stirred controversy by rejecting Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume‘s request for an amendment to earlier decisions.
The commotion ensued after Ndume, citing procedural errors, sought to rectify an unaddressed technicality in a motion put forth by Senator Summaila Kawu for debate on the need for re-opening of Nigerian-Niger Border, without stating the title of his motion.
Rising under the provisions of Order 51 of the Senate standing rules, Ndume appealed to the Senate President for the opportunity to rectify any errors detected during the session.
Ndume said,
“This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws, rules and procedures. If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed, they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceeding.”
Under the guise of adhering to established rules, Akpabio dismissed Ndume’s pleas, citing a previous ruling.
Senator Sunday Karimi from APC representing Kogi West vigorously attempted to support Ndume’s stance with another procedural point of order, only to face a swift dismissal by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, promptly referred to order 16, which mandates a formal motion for the correction or review of earlier decisions.
Despite the intervention attempts by Senator Sunday Karimi and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, the Senate President remained resolute in his refusal to entertain any amendments, causing further discord within the Senate.
This further endorsement of Barau’s argument by Akpabio triggered Ndume’s frustration, leading him to invoke order 54 to rectify the perceived mistake. However, before he could fully present his case, the Senate President ruled him out of order once more.
Read also: Abbo Blames Akpabio for his Removal as Adamawa Senator
Incensed by Akpabio’s repeated rulings, Ndume gathered his documents and stormed out of the chamber in a fit of anger.
The subsequent closed-door meeting, convened at Akpabio’s behest, is currently ongoing, leaving the Senate in a state of suspense as the implications of the rift continue to unfold.