The Senate witnessed a heated session on Tuesday after Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of engaging in what he described as “unparliamentary conduct.”
The commotion began shortly after Akpabio entered the chamber and took over proceedings from Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), who had been presiding. Upon assuming his seat, Akpabio invited Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and several other lawmakers to the podium for a brief discussion.
Goje, visibly displeased, rose under Order 55 (12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders (2023 Amendment), which prohibits side interactions during plenary. He accused the Senate President of disrupting proceedings and holding a private meeting while the chamber was in session.
“Interaction is not allowed except to move the business before us,” Goje said. “What you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate.”
When Akpabio asked Goje to approach the chair, the former Gombe governor refused, insisting he would not participate in what he considered an illegitimate sidebar meeting.
Goje maintained that the ongoing discussions at the podium had stalled the Senate’s work: “Everything is at a standstill now. We are not doing business.”
Attempts by Akpabio to calm the situation were unsuccessful as Goje repeatedly demanded that lawmakers gathered around the Senate President disperse so plenary could continue. Akpabio explained that the brief consultation was to determine whether to proceed with business in view of an urgent assignment at the Presidential Villa, where the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem launch was scheduled for 1 p.m.
Despite Akpabio’s explanation and invitation to join the discussion, Goje declined. “I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this. It’s wrong,” he said.
The disagreement held up Senate proceedings for more than 30 minutes before calm was gradually restored.
