VAM News Update

A rowdy session ensued at the senate’s plenary today, October 17, after Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume walked out after being deemed out of order by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ndume had raised a point of order on alleged errors committed and not corrected by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. The Borno senator had noted that Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) moved a motion for a debate on the need for re-opening of Nigerian-Niger Border, without stating the title of his motion.

He said;

”This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws, rules and procedures. If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed, they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceeding.”

Ndume was however cut short by Akpabio who deemed him out of order after stating that the issue cannot be revisited. Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West) attempted to sustain Ndume’s line of argument through another point of order but was also swiftly ruled out of order by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, then quickly rose to read order 16, which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator for correction or review of the earlier decision taken.

Ndume got infuriated after Akpabio sustained Barau’s point of order by raising another point of order (order 54) to seek correction of the perceived error. He subsequently stormed out of the senate chamber.

The remaining senators hurriedly went into the closed-door session after the incident.