The Senate, on Wednesday, moved swiftly to dispel rumours about an alleged move to impeach its President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, describing the reports as baseless and misleading.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the claims had been “quoted out of context” and that there had never been any discussion regarding Akpabio’s removal.
Bamidele’s clarification followed comments made by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia) during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kalu, at the briefing, had also dismissed speculations about a plot to remove Akpabio, describing it as a “family misunderstanding” among lawmakers.
“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family and it’s not going to happen,” Kalu said.
Bamidele, however, explained that after speaking directly with Kalu, it was clear his remarks had been taken out of context.
“From my discussions with Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, it was obvious to me that he was quoted out of context.
“There was, in fact, no discussion around the possibility or otherwise of the removal of His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate,” Bamidele said.
He said the Senate would not tolerate any distractions, stressing that lawmakers were united behind Akpabio’s leadership.
“We are totally united in this Senate, and there is no tension. There is no reason to contemplate the removal of any of our principal officers.
“We are developing a zero level of tolerance to distractions because there are very urgent issues of national importance that we need to attend to,” he said.
Presiding over the plenary, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended Bamidele for the clarification.
“Thank you, our capacity leader, for this clarification. All and sundry should please take note,” Barau said.
