Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
Senate, on Wednesday, acted swiftly to dispel circulating rumours suggesting plans to impeach the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, describing such claims as unfounded and deliberately misleading.
Taking the floor during plenary, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, clarified that the reports had been “quoted out of context,” stressing that no conversation or move had taken place concerning Akpabio’s removal.
Bamidele’s statement followed comments made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kalu had earlier dismissed the impeachment rumours, characterising the situation 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 had said.
In his reaction, Bamidele explained that he personally reached out to Senator Kalu for clarification and confirmed that the earlier remarks had been misinterpreted.
“From my discussions with Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, it was obvious to me that he was quoted out of context,” Bamidele said. “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.”
He further condemned the rumours as a deliberate attempt to create confusion and distract lawmakers from addressing pressing national issues.
“At this time, we are all united behind the leadership of Sen. Godswill Akpabio. We are developing zero tolerance for distractions because there are urgent matters of public importance before us. Such false reports only seek to cause unnecessary tension,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Bamidele reaffirmed that the Senate remains cohesive and fully aligned under Akpabio’s leadership.
“There is no tension in this Senate, and there is no reason whatsoever to contemplate the removal of any of our principal officers. I just wanted to state this for the record,” he said.
In response, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, commended Bamidele’s clarification. “Thank you, our capacity leader, for this clarification. All and sundry should please take note,” Barau stated. (NAN)
