Drama Erupts as Senators Fight Over Seats in Renovated Chamber (See video)

At the resumption of the Senate to plenary on Tuesday, a mild drama unfolded as senators fought over seats.

The main chamber of the National Assembly had undergone renovation, prompting senators to operate from a temporary hall.

With the completion of the project, they moved into the renovated chamber for legislative business after a 40-day recess.

Trouble ensued during the resumption of the Senate to plenary on Tuesday when the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, began announcing the names of Senators who celebrated their birthdays during the 40-day recess.

As Akpabio made the announcements, Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) raised his voice at Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who responded by pointing his finger sternly at Yau.

The situation escalated when Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined Yau in shouting at Bamidele and Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), the chairman of Senate Services responsible for seating arrangements.

Bamidele’s response triggered a heated exchange of words between him and Yau, leading to a rowdy session that prompted the senators to adjourn into a closed-session.

During the closed-session, Senator Yau expressed dissatisfaction with his allocated seat, arguing that it was not suitable for a ranking Senator who previously held a principal position as Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate during the 9th National Assembly. Danjuma Goje also voiced concerns about the seating arrangement for ranking Senators.

Akpabio intervened, urging the Senate leader and the aggrieved Senators to resolve their differences.

Following Akpabio’s address, the Senate convened an emergency executive session.