A heated confrontation between Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday threw the Senate into a 30-minute standstill, disrupting plenary and triggering an unusually rowdy session.

The drama began shortly after Akpabio arrived at the chamber and took over from Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who had been presiding.

Akpabio summoned Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), and a few other senators to the dais for a private consultation, right in the middle of proceedings.

The move immediately angered Goje, a former governor of Gombe State, who rose sharply, citing Order 55(12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders which prohibits side discussions during plenary.

“Mr. Senate President, what you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate. You cannot be holding a separate meeting when the Senate is in session,” Goje said.

Akpabio invited him to approach the chair, but Goje refused. “I cannot be part of what is illegal and unparliamentary,” he insisted, adding that the chamber had come to “a standstill” due to the side meeting.

Attempts by Akpabio to pacify Goje, including offering him a seat in the brief consultation, failed, as Goje repeatedly insisted that those clustered around the Senate President should disperse so business could resume.

Akpabio later explained that the consultation was to determine whether the Senate could proceed in view of a scheduled Armed Forces Emblem Launch at the Presidential Villa by 1pm.

However, Goje remained adamant. “I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this. It’s wrong and unparliamentary,” he said.

The dramatic exchange underscored festering tensions within the chamber, momentarily paralysing proceedings before business eventually moved on. (Daily Trust)