Senators jostle over new seats, exchange hot words in a near combat session

Like kids angling for something new, senators nearly came to blows on Tuesday as they jostled to grab new seats in the newly refurbished Red Chamber.

 

The plenary which commenced after Senate President Godswill Akpabio, arrived at the chamber about 11:00 am, immediately descended into chaos with some senators shouting at the top of their voices.

 

The senators who stood out in the shouting match were Senator Sahabi Ya’u (APC – Zamfara North)  and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti Central). Both raised their voices with great effect.

 

Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) also joined the fray, shouting at Bamidele and the chairman, Senate Services Committee, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC – Kogi West). Karimi is in charge of the seating arrangements.

 

 

According to findings, the tumult was over the sitting arrangement for senators in the newly renovated main chamber of the Senate.

 

Some ranking senators were said to have been angry at the seats allocated to them in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.

 

The Senate president eventually calmed the situation when he told the aggrieved senators to approach the chair one after the other but Senator Ya’u appeared not to be inclined to do that.

 

The rowdy session lasted for about 20 minutes as senators bickered.

 

Thereafter, the Senate president read his welcome speech while the Senate Leader, moved that the Senate should go into an executive session which is always held behind closed doors.

 

The executive session commenced by 12:05pm.

 

The Senate had on March 20, adjourned plenary till April 16, but postponed resumption twice to allow for the completion of the chamber which had been under renovation since 2022.