A few minutes after the commencement of the plenary, the Senate hurriedly went into closed session to resolve perceived disagreements between the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Trouble started when Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) raised a Point of Order on alleged errors committed and not corrected by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
According to Ndume, the President of the Senate ruled for a debate by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) on the need for the re-opening of the Nigeria-Niger Border, without stating or reading the title of his motion.
Ndume, coming under Order 51 of the Standing Rules, requested that the Senate President allow for the correction of the error.
Senator Ndume, while addressing the president of the Senate, asked him to correct himself and revisit the ruling, which was done in error.
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Akpabio quickly interrupted Ndume, citing rule 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, and ruled him out of order.
Senator Sunday Karimi, (APC Kogi West), also asked for the motion to be read with a title. But his intervention was not sustained by Senate President Akpabio.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, also intervened in the matter, saying that once the President of the Senate rules on any matter, the issue is laid to rest, and will only require a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator for correction or review.
The submission of the Deputy President of the Senate was sustained.
The sponsor of the motion was allowed to make his presentation on the need to reopen the country’s border with the Niger Republic.
Senator Ali Ndume again raised another point of order, telling the president of the Senate that he should not shy away from learning when he makes mistakes during plenary.
Again, Senator Ndume is interrupted by the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and he is ruled out of order.
Angered by Akpabio’s decision, Ndume packed his documents and furiously stormed out of the chamber.
The Senate in trying to salvage the situation, hurriedly went into a closed-door meeting.
Plenary resumed at about 2:00 p.m. with Senator Ali Ndume present.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
