Senior Senator Ali Ndume Condemns Senate President Akpabio Over Alleged Interruption During Banditry Debate

 

Tension briefly escalated in Nigeria’s Senate as veteran lawmaker Ali Ndume openly challenged Senate President Godswill Akpabio over what he described as an unprecedented disruption during plenary proceedings. Ndume, who represents Borno North, expressed profound displeasure at the interruption, insisting that the role of the Senate President is to guide discussions rather than curtail contributions from elected members.

Speaking to Channels Television after the plenary session, Ndume described the encounter as unusual and embarrassing. He emphasised that parliamentary integrity relies on allowing every senator the opportunity to speak freely, without unnecessary interference or abrupt interventions. The senior lawmaker stressed that any points of clarification should occur only after a senator has concluded a submission.

According to Ndume, the incident occurred while he was delivering a detailed contribution on the Senate floor, at which point the Senate President allegedly interjected. Ndume insisted that the mid-speech interruption undermined proper parliamentary discourse and sent a troubling signal about the handling of floor privileges in the upper chamber.

“The whole situation was out of the ordinary,” Ndume stated. “I have served in the Senate long enough to understand how proceedings should function. The Senate President’s duty is to preside, not prevent senators from expressing themselves.” He further pointed out that any clarification or challenge should be addressed after a speech has concluded, not during its delivery.

The Borno lawmaker specifically criticised remarks reportedly made by Akpabio during the disruption, alleging that he was told not to pursue certain points. Ndume argued that such actions jeopardise the fairness and consistency of legislative debate, particularly when issues of national significance are under discussion.

“When I am contributing, I should be allowed to make my point,” Ndume emphasised. “If a topic is sensitive, that should be communicated before I begin. Once the floor is given, a senator must speak freely. If there is an issue, it can be raised afterward, not in the middle of my submission.”

Highlighting his seniority and experience in the chamber, Ndume warned against selective enforcement of procedural rules. He underlined that floor privileges must remain consistent for all members to maintain the credibility of legislative debate. “When the floor is given, it is given. It cannot be taken back midway, and it should not appear selective,” he remarked.

The exchange between the Senate President and Ndume underscores ongoing tensions regarding parliamentary procedure and decorum in the National Assembly. Observers suggest that how such disagreements are addressed could shape the conduct of future plenary sessions and influence perceptions of legislative fairness.