Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, said that Nigeria was confronted with multifaceted challenges that called for collective efforts to find urgent solutions.
He noted that insecurity/terrorism, economic distortions, hunger, and emergency responses remained major concerns.
Akpabio spoke in Abuja while welcoming senators back to work after their Easter and Sallah recess.
The Senate President gave three recent instances to buttress his position, namely the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, Delta; the fiery carnage on the East-West Road in Rivers state, which claimed five lives; and the increase in electricity tariffs as well as petroleum product prices.
“These incidents remind us of the urgency and gravity of the challenges we face as a nation”, he told his colleagues.
Akpabio went on, “The loss of our soldiers reminds us of the grave threats we still face from insecurity and terrorism. The tragic explosion in Port Harcourt, claiming innocent lives and causing widespread devastation, highlights the urgency of addressing safety measures and ensuring the well-being of our citizens.
“The increase in tariffs and prices emphasises the pressing need to address issues of affordability, inflation, and the overall well-being of our economy.
“These events, among others, reinforce the fact that our nation is confronted with multifaceted challenges. They highlight the urgency and gravity of the issues we must confront, calling for our collective efforts to find sustainable solutions. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to address these challenges head-on and work towards a better future for all.”
While applauding the measures introduced by the Executive to tackle the country’s challenges, the Senate President pledged the cooperation of the National Assembly to work together to bring succour to Nigerians.
He added, “The National Assembly can only fly with two wings. Therefore, both the Senate and the House of Representatives must collaborate and cooperate and provide the wings for the National Assembly to fly and lift Nigerians up. We must at all times collaborate and cooperate with the other arms of government, without compromising our Constitutional duties, in order for our democracy to thrive.
“As senators, our efforts must be focused on restoring hope, righting wrongs, and upholding our commitments to the well-being of our people. Together, fueled by a renewed spirit of fraternity, unity, and solidarity, we must move forward and cooperate generously for the common good.
“Throughout history, the spirit of cooperation has brought about tremendous progress. Let us pool our resources, talents, and ideas, while respecting our differences and convictions of conscience.”
Akpabio also admitted that Nigerians were “trapped in the cycle of poverty” and hunger, saying that the fight against the twin evil must be “total and relentless” by addressing the root causes.
However, the session almost became rowdy as some senators quarreled over the allocation of seats in their renovated chamber.
It took the intervention of Akpabio to quickly contain the situation and prevent it from degenerating further.
Lawmakers were initially ecstatic over the transformed chamber as they resumed, as Akpabio seized the opportunity to recognise members who recently marked their birthdays.
But, the atmosphere soon changed when Sen. Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u (APC Zamfara North) stood up angrily from the seat allocated to him to complain that it was not befitting for him, being a former deputy minority leader of the Senate.
He directed his complaints to the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), which resulted in a shouting match between the two.
The development led to reactions from several other senators, as Ya’u continued to point a finger at Bamidele.
As the drama unfolded, Sen. Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central), also joined in raising his voice, saying that senior senators were not accorded respect in the allocation of the seats.
But, in a move to douse tension, Akpabio quickly beckoned to all the senators involved in the shouting match to approach the Chair.
They all went to see Akpabio briefly before some order was restored to the chamber.
The Senate President thereafter read a welcome speech to his colleagues and hurriedly called for an executive session.
It’s unclear what the agenda of the camera session was, but it’s most likely to calm frayed nerves and get members in a good mood for debates.
On returning to full plenary, Akpabio merely announced that the camera meeting devoted time to national issues and matters relating to the proper functioning of the legislature.
Senate spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, however, denied that senators had any disagreement over seat allocation.
Making a reaction, he wrote, “There was no disagreement, rancor or any verbal tirade in respect of the seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The Senate resumed today in the newly renovated chamber and the seating positions of senators were done in accordance with the established Legislative protocols.
“It’s pertinent to know that rankings of senators and leadership positions are considered. All legislators all over the world know and accept this tradition. The new arrangements in the chamber today did not depart from this. Every senator is thus considered based on this legislative tradition, hence there couldn’t be any confusion over seating arrangements.
“Senators have been observing these seating protocols, even in the temporary chamber, hence the unfounded story of a phantom fight over seating arrangements is an unscrupulous attempt to drag the image of the Senate into an unnecessary and needless controversy.
“The general public should disregard this odious song of sorrow from these incorrigible wholesalers and retailers of falsehood.”
