VIDEO: Mild Drama in Senate Over Sitting Arrangements in New Chamber

Drama in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, April 30, as senators returned from their Easter and Sallah break, only to find themselves in a heated altercation over seating arrangements in the newly renovated chamber. The confrontation began shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio commenced the day’s plenary at 11:00 am.

The session began routinely with the Senate president leading the chamber in statutory prayers and then acknowledging senators who had celebrated birthdays during the recess. However, as this was underway, tensions flared when Senator Sahabi Ya’u (APC – Zamfara North) engaged in a loud argument with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), pointing fingers as if issuing a warning.

The exchange escalated when Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined in, shouting at Bamidele and at Senator Sunday Karimi (APC – Kogi West), the chairman of the Senate Services Committee, who oversees seating arrangements. Sources later revealed that the commotion was triggered by dissatisfaction among some senators with their assigned seats in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.

Despite the Senate president’s attempts to defuse the situation by inviting aggrieved senators to approach him individually, Senator Ya’u seemed unwilling to comply. The ensuing uproar persisted for about 20 minutes, with senators continuing to bicker and raise their voices.

Eventually, the Senate president managed to calm the chamber and proceeded with his welcome speech. The Senate Leader then proposed an executive session, which was convened at 12:05 pm. This session is held behind closed doors, allowing the Senate to discuss sensitive matters in private.

The Senate had previously adjourned on March 20 and was scheduled to resume on April 16. However, resumption was delayed twice to allow for the completion of renovations that began in 2022.

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