- Moments after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio finished reading the announcements said to be from the minority caucus, an altercation ensued on the floor of parliament.
- Akpabio added that he sympathises with minority parties in the senate.
Tuesday’s announcement of new minority leadership roles by Senate President Godswill Akpabio caused a ruckus in the upper legislative chamber.
Senator Abba Moro of Benue South was named minority leader by Akpabio, while Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West was named minority whip.
Simon Mwadkwon, a senator for Plateau North, and Darlington Nwokocha, a senator for Abia Central, were replaced by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The courts dismissed them both.
Nwokocha of the Labour Party (LP) served as the minority whip, whereas Mwadkwon, the former minority leader, is a member of the PDP.
An argument broke out on the house floor shortly after Akpabio concluded delivering the remarks, which were allegedly made by the minority caucus.
The senator from Anambra North, Tony Nwoye, of the LP, stated that it was unjust for the Senate President to select the leaders of the minority caucus.
“Are we your slaves? Why will the senate president be picking leaders for us?,” Nwoye yelled at the presiding officer.
“You have done your worst. You have pushed us to the wall. Meaning what? It is unfair. It is not about me, it is about the institution of the state.”
After some senators pacified Nwoye, Akpabio explained that the two minority leaders had shown the signatories of senators who agreed with the decision.
“Minority, put your house in order first,” Akpabio said.
“The senate president can only work with what is before me. You have senator Abaribe and Aliero, their names are not here.”
Akpabio added that he sympathises with minority parties in the senate.