T£nsion as Ndume Accuses Akpabio of Silencing Senators During Plenary

Tension as Ndume Accuses Akpabio of Silencing Senators During Plenary

Tension rose in Nigeria’s National Assembly on Thursday after Senator Ali Ndume clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ndume, a long-serving member, expressed his frustration during a post-plenary interview with Channels Television.

He labeled the incident as “unusual” and “embarrassing.” Ndume emphasized that the Senate President’s role is to oversee discussions, not to silence lawmakers. The disruption happened while Ndume was speaking. He accused Akpabio of interrupting him in a way that undermined the integrity of parliamentary debate.

He insisted that every senator should be allowed to speak freely without interruptions. Ndume, representing Borno North, was shocked by the incident, reminding everyone of his seniority and experience. “I have been in the Senate long enough to know how these sessions operate,” he stated.

He argued that any need for clarification should come after a senator finishes speaking. “If I need to clarify something, do it after my speech, not during,” he said. He warned that interrupting a senator sends the wrong message about their rights on the floor.

Ndume criticized Akpabio’s comments during the interruption, noting, “It’s concerning when I’m told not to discuss certain topics mid-speech.” He stressed that if an issue is sensitive, it should be communicated beforehand. Once a senator is given the floor, they should be able to speak freely.

He concluded by stating that fairness in procedure should not be selective, especially on national matters. “When the floor is given, it should not be taken back. That privilege applies to everyone,” he remarked.