Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed gratitude for the support from his colleagues and assured them of his intention to provide good leadership.
Senators have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The confidence vote, which was passed on Thursday during plenary, came barely 24 hours after Wednesday’s media reports that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took over the National Assembly to supposedly prevent a plan to impeach Akpabio.
Recall that the Akpabio had debunked the allegations of impeachment plots against him, describing the news as a mischief. There had been media reports at the early hours of the day that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken control of the national assembly amid allegations of a potential impeachment threat against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Reacting to these reports shortly after the day’s plenary, spokesman of the senate, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti south) debunked the news, mentioning that the information is “ill-will, untraceable and from the gate of hell.”
Also, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Sen. Basheer Lado (PDP, Kano Central) in a reaction on Wednesday evening, spoke of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to encourage a harmonious working relationship between the legislature and the executive.
Raising the matter on the floor of Thursday’s plenary, a former leader of the senate, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North) drew the attention of his colleagues to a publication which claimed that northern senators were behind the impeachment plot against Akpabio. The was seconded by Sen. Aminu Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central),
Abdullahi claimed that such an allegation was a breach of his constitutional right as a citizen and lawmaker.
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He said the allegation that northern senators were plotting Akpabio‘s removal has put a dent on his reputation and integrity.
“This is about the fake news that was circulating yesterday about an alleged attempt by northern senators to take your leadership. I consider this statement as a disguised attempt to create a very serious division in this institution. I am a senior member of this chamber and member of the Northern Senators Forum, I can tell you that there is no attempt that I know of by a caucus or any group among the northern senators,” he said.
On his part, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi central) mentioned that he saw no reason as to why such news will emanate on social media, stressing that there was no form of disunity amongst senators.
He said, “I was taken aback as to why and from my little exploration of that so called fake news, there was an intention by some people outside this chamber according to my source to make sure that they bring a collision between yourself and the northern senators. In spite of everything people could see that we have been able to relate with you, particularly you and the Deputy Senate President.”
He thereafter moved a motion that the senators pass a vote of confidence on Akpabio. This was put to a voice vote and supported by all senators present.
In his remarks, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed gratitude for the support from his colleagues and assured them of his intention to provide good leadership.
