The ongoing conflict in the Senate between supporters of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Northern lawmakers has now involved governors and other political figures from the North.
The dispute, which led to the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, began before Akpabio assumed the presidency of the 10th Senate in 2023.
On March 12, 2024, the Senate, led by Akpabio and three senators from the South West – Opeyemi Bamidele, Adeola Olamilekan, and Jimoh Ibrahim – suspended Ningi for alleging budget padding of over N3 trillion, despite efforts by Northern lawmakers to intervene.
Bamidele, Olamilekan, and Ibrahim spearheaded Ningi’s suspension from the South West.
Nearly three weeks later, it’s reported that senior Northern senators and governors are now intervening to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Senate.
A senator from the North West, involved in the peace efforts, noted that if it weren’t for pressure from the South West lawmakers, Ningi’s suspension could have been avoided.
Concerned governors urged Akpabio to reconsider Ningi’s suspension due to its potential ethnic implications and Ningi’s support from Northern politicians.
However, despite opposition from some South West lawmakers, Akpabio intends to recall Ningi, recognizing the need for unity in the Senate to effectively carry out legislative duties.
The senator revealed that Akpabio sees Ningi’s legal representation by Femi Falana as a suitable pretext to reverse the suspension and restore harmony in the Senate.
“Akpabio had to ignore them and has resolved to recall Ningi. Ningi has a support base, and many Northern senators and leaders see the suspension as an attack on the region. But some people want to maintain their ego and they feel they control what happens in the Senate.
“Very senior senators from the North reached out to Akpabio. Former and serving governors also reached out and informed him about the dangers of bringing ethnicity into the chambers, as demonstrated by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele.
“Akpabio has a task. There are many things the Senate plans to do, and if you have a divided house, nothing will work there.
“He knows this and had to find a good excuse to get out of the mess those three South West senators put him in. So, that letter by Femi Falana written on behalf of Ningi is a good excuse,” the lawmaker revealed.
