Tensions flared during the first day of Senate plenary in the newly renovated red chamber as Senators engaged in a heated verbal altercation over seating arrangements on Tuesday.
The National Assembly formally reopened both chambers after approximately two years of renovation work, during which lawmakers utilized makeshift chambers in temporary locations.
Upon completion of the renovation project before their 40-day recess, Senators resumed sessions in the remodeled chambers, but the day quickly turned contentious.
Trouble arose when Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, began recognizing Senators who celebrated birthdays during the vacation. Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u (APC, Zamfara North) rose from his seat to voice a complaint to Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), regarding the seating arrangement.
What began as a quiet conversation between Ya’u and Bamidele escalated into a shouting match, drawing reactions from other Senators and devolving into a 30-minute uproar.
Senator Ya’u expressed dissatisfaction with his new seat placement in the far right corner of the chamber, citing his status as a ranking Senator and former Deputy Minority Whip during the 9th National Assembly.
The dispute intensified when Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined in, echoing concerns about the seating arrangement for ranking Senators.
In an attempt to restore order, the Senate President called for Bamidele and the aggrieved Senators to approach him. After resolving the immediate conflict, Akpabio proceeded to deliver his welcome address.
Following the address, the Senate Leader called for an emergency closed-door session to address the underlying issues and diffuse tensions among Senators.
Details of the closed-door session are expected to emerge later.
