Senate President Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi In Shouting Match During Heated Exchange, Nearly Come To Blows – Report
The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic altercation on Wednesday evening as a closed-door session descended into chaos, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele engaging in a shouting match that nearly escalated into a physical confrontation.
The tension erupted during an executive session convened to deliberate on whether to adjourn the current legislative sitting this week or next week for the Senate’s traditional two-month annual recess. Sources told SaharaReporters that disagreements among the leadership over the adjournment plan led to visible cracks within the chamber’s top hierarchy.
It was learnt that Senator Ali Ndume, in a pointed observation, criticised the Senate leadership for failing to hold a prior meeting to unify their position before bringing the matter to the floor.
He reportedly said that was not how things should be done, urging the leadership to show greater coordination.
Ndume’s comment appeared to ignite long-simmering frustrations, as Senate Leader Bamidele publicly voiced his displeasure with Senate President Akpabio’s leadership style.
“I am frustrated as Senate Leader working under Senate President Akpabio,” Bamidele reportedly said in the heated session. “He does not call leadership meetings, he doesn’t consult with anyone. He is autocratic. In fact, I am contemplating resigning as Senate Leader.”
Akpabio, visibly angered by Bamidele’s remarks, fired back sharply.
“Senator Opeyemi should sit down! He cannot speak while I am speaking. I am in charge here,” Akpabio reportedly yelled. “I have served as Commissioner, two-term Governor, Senate Minority Leader, and a powerful Minister. I know the Senate rules and leadership more than you.”
SaharaReporters learnt that as tempers flared, both men appeared ready to confront each other physically before other senators quickly intervened to de-escalate the situation and restore order.
No official statement had been issued as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, were unsuccessful, as his phone line was unreachable and he was also offline on WhatsApp.
Similar Altercation Report Dismissed In 2024
Reports of a similar altercation between the two Senate leaders also surfaced in November 2024, but were later dismissed as fake news.
At the time, the Office of the Senate Leader, led by Senator Bamidele, debunked reports of an alleged altercation and physical fight between him and the Senate President, Akpabio.
The report was earlier circulated on the X social media platform by a journalist, Jackson Ude.
However, the Senate Leader’s Office dismissed it as fake news aimed at tarnishing the image of the Senate leadership.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Senate Leader’s Office, it was clarified that Senator Bamidele had never engaged in physical assault in his over two decades of political career, including his time as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students.(SaharaReporters)
