A dramatic confrontation between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Danjuma Goje brought proceedings in the upper legislative chamber to a standstill on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Plenary Disrupted by Heated Exchange
The session descended into chaos following an action by the Senate President. After taking over the chair from his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, Akpabio summoned the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and a few other senators to the podium for a private consultation while the plenary was ongoing.
This move was immediately challenged by Senator Danjuma Goje, a former governor of Gombe State representing Gombe Central. Goje strongly objected, labelling the side meeting as a breach of parliamentary procedure.
Goje Cites Senate Rules, Rejects Invitation
Raising a point of order, Senator Goje referenced Order 55(12)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders, which prohibits side discussions during official plenary. He argued that the chamber had come to a complete halt because of the meeting.
"Mr. Senate President, what you are doing is unparliamentary. You are disturbing the business of the Senate. You cannot be holding a separate meeting when the Senate is in session," Goje stated firmly.
When Akpabio invited him to approach the chair to discuss the matter, Goje flatly refused. "I cannot be part of what is illegal and unparliamentary," he declared, insisting that those gathered around the Senate President should disperse so normal business could resume.
Akpabio's Explanation Fails to Calm Tensions
In response, Senate President Akpabio explained that the hurried consultation was to decide if the Senate could continue its work, given a scheduled Armed Forces Emblem Launch at the Presidential Villa by 1 pm on the same day.
However, this justification did not satisfy Senator Goje, who remained steadfast in his position. "I don't want to be part of it. I'm opposed to this. It's wrong and unparliamentary," he reiterated. The clash created a 30-minute standstill, marking an unusually rowdy session.
Nigerians React to Viral Video
The video of the confrontation quickly spread across social media, sparking a wave of reactions from Nigerians. Many users expressed disappointment and criticism towards the conduct of the lawmakers.
Key reactions from social media included:
- One user criticized Akpabio's leadership style, comparing the chamber to a beer parlour.
- Another lamented the behaviour of the nation's lawmakers, calling them "useless."
- Some comments reflected a cynical view of the entire Senate as ineffective.
The incident has once again put the conduct of the National Assembly under public scrutiny, highlighting internal disagreements over procedure and decorum.
