A heated confrontation between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Gombe Central Senator Danjuma Goje disrupted Tuesday’s plenary session, creating a tense and rowdy moment in the upper legislative chamber. The incident began shortly after Akpabio entered the Chamber and took over proceedings from Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who had been presiding at the time. Upon settling in, the Senate President called a few principal officers aside for a brief consultation, a move that immediately drew objections from Senator Goje.
Goje accused Akpabio of halting parliamentary business and engaging in conduct he described as both wrong and unparliamentary. He argued that the private meeting violated the Senate’s rules, citing Order 55 (12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), which restricts side interactions during plenary unless they directly relate to the business at hand. According to the Gombe lawmaker, the chamber could not proceed with official business while the presiding officer held a separate meeting.
💰💰Donations can be made into 👇
ToyinOlomo Int’l Foundation FCMB 7616705014
Thank you.
please note that this is a broacast message
Addressing Akpabio directly, Goje insisted that interactions not tied to the ongoing legislative agenda were prohibited during plenary. He stated that the Senate President’s action amounted to a disruption of proceedings, stressing that all parliamentary discussions should be conducted openly and in line with established protocols. He further cautioned Akpabio that the chamber had been effectively brought to a standstill as senators waited for clarity on whether the sitting would continue.
In an attempt to defuse the rising tension, Akpabio invited Goje to join the brief consultation. However, the former Governor of Gombe State rejected the invitation, maintaining that he could not participate in what he considered an inappropriate and unlawful action. He reiterated that such meetings should only take place outside the Chamber, stressing that the sanctity of parliamentary procedure must be upheld at all times.
- Tottenham Stun Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Palmer Sees Red and Maddison Suffers Fresh Injury Blow
Tottenham Hotspur delivered a statement victory over London rivals Chelsea… - AFCOM-HS: New Military Medical College Listed on JAMB Portal for 2026/2027 Admission
The Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS),…Read More “AFCOM-HS: New Military Medical College Listed on JAMB Portal for 2026/2027 Admission” »
Goje continued to voice his displeasure, insisting that the rules of the Senate were being breached. Even when Akpabio responded with a calm “noted,” Goje retorted by saying, “noted but not sustained,” further showcasing his firm disagreement with the Senate President’s approach. His persistent objections heightened the rowdiness in the Chamber as other senators observed the standoff.
For nearly thirty minutes, the plenary session remained stalled, with Goje refusing to back down. He insisted that the senators gathered around Akpabio for the aside meeting should return to their seats so that the Senate could resume its official business. All attempts by Akpabio to pacify him proved unsuccessful, as Goje stood his ground and maintained that the consultation was a clear violation of parliamentary rules.
Responding to the accusations, Akpabio explained that the brief meeting was part of efforts to determine whether the Senate should proceed with the day’s agenda in light of a pressing assignment at the Presidential Villa. He stated that the aside conversation was necessary for the continuation of the sitting and aligned with the rule Goje had cited, suggesting that the discussion was directly linked to the business before the chamber.
Akpabio told the lawmakers that each senator involved in the aside meeting had been invited by the chair for a quick deliberation on whether the sitting should continue, given that the Senate leadership was expected at the Villa by 1 p.m. He urged Goje to approach the chair and join the discussion, arguing that transparency remained the goal of the consultation despite the urgency of the matter.
Despite the explanation, Goje remained adamant and refused to take part in the discussion, stressing once more that the ongoing consultation was wrong and that he wanted no involvement. He maintained that he was committed to protecting the integrity of parliamentary proceedings and would not be associated with actions he believed undermined the rules governing the Senate.
Akpabio eventually disclosed that his haste stemmed from the need to attend the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Launch at the Presidential Villa, which required the presence of Senate leadership. However, Goje’s objections continued until the session eventually regained order and legislative business moved forward after the tense exchange.
