The Senate chamber became rowdy on Tuesday when the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, tackled Senate President Godswill Akpabio on parliamentary procedure. But Akpabio did not miss to show he was in-charge by frequently striking the gavel to shut Ndume.
The proceeding at the Senate started well until Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), raised a point of order on alleged errors committed and not corrected by Akpabio.
The error stemmed from a motion for debate moved by Senator Sumaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South). The Senator’s motion was on the need for re-opening of the Nigerian-Niger Border. He, however, did not state the title of the motion.
Ndume requested the Senate President to allow for correction by relying on order 51 of the Senate standing rules,
“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,” Ndume said.
But Akpabio, with his gavel at-the-ready, ruled Ndume out of order, saying the issue could not be revisited.
Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West), joined Ndume in making the point that the error could be corrected before proceeding with the business at hand. He too, received the Ndume treatment.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, attempted to find a middle ground to resolve the hard stance of both sides. That too, failed.
Ndume’s last attempt to rely on Order 54 to make another point, was also shunned by Akpabio.
At this point, Ndume could stomach no more. He packed his things and furiously stormed out of the chamber.
The senators then moved into closed-door session.
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