A routine Tuesday sitting of the Senate was briefly thrown into chaos after a tense confrontation erupted between Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, halting proceedings for nearly half an hour.
The disruption began moments after Akpabio entered the chamber and resumed presiding duties from his deputy, Jibrin Barau. Soon after taking the chair, Akpabio invited Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and a few senators for what appeared to be a side consultation—right in the middle of plenary deliberations.
The action immediately drew the ire of Goje, who rose swiftly, citing Order 55(12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders, which bars side conversations or meetings during sessions.
“Mr. Senate President, what you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate,” Goje protested sharply. “You cannot be holding a separate meeting when the Senate is in session.”
Akpabio beckoned him to the chair for conversation, but the former Gombe governor declined outright. “I cannot be part of what is illegal and unparliamentary,” he insisted, stressing that the chamber had effectively been brought to “a standstill” by the distraction.
Efforts by Akpabio to calm tensions—including asking Goje to join the brief discussion—were unsuccessful.
Goje repeatedly demanded that the senators gathered around the Senate President disperse so that legislative business could continue.
READ ALSO: Senate Assures Stakeholders: NSSTF Bill Set for Passage
Akpabio later clarified that the consultation was intended to determine whether plenary should be suspended ahead of a scheduled Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Launch at the Presidential Villa by 1pm.
Still, Goje remained unmoved. “I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this. It’s wrong and unparliamentary,” he maintained.
The clash exposed growing friction within the Senate leadership, with proceedings forced into a temporary pause before calm was restored and legislative activities resumed.
The heated confrontation has since sparked renewed conversation about decorum, internal unity, and leadership style within the upper chamber.