Senate in rowdy session over leadership positions as LP senators protest announcement of Osita Ngwu as minority Whip

The Senate momentarily witnessed a rowdy session over the announcement of Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), as Minority Whip by Senate president, Godswill Akpabio.

Tuesday session started on a usually friendly note with everything going on as scheduled, with announcements, motions and other orders of the day’s business.

The Senate president then read out a letter from the minority caucus announcing the choice of Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), as Minority Leader.

However, the mood in the Senate changed when he announced Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) as minority Whip.

Akpabio said the two new minority leaders were supported by a majority of their colleagues in opposition parties.

He said 41 minority senators signed the document endorsing Moro as minority leader, while 30 backed Ngwu for the minority whip seat.

Tempers rose and voices were raised, leading to a rowdy session as senators from all sides tried to outspeak one another.

The announcement drew loud protests from Labour Party senators who felt their party was being shut out.

Senator Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu North), who raised a point of order to protest the absence of his party in the minority leadership said “At the minority meeting from which we just came out of, Abba Moro was endorsed but on the position of minority whip, we agreed to schedule another meeting because the leadership has to be shared equitably.

“There is no way we will have four leadership seats for minority in this Senate and the PDP will take three of the seats. The next party is Labour Party with seven senators and we get nothing, that is unfair, that is unjust, that is unacceptable and is against the spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

“How can the PDP take three minority leadership seats? This is unfair, unjust and unacceptable.”

Again, Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North) accused Akpabio of picking minority leaders for the opposition parties.

He said: “How can you be chosing minority leaders for us? Are we your slaves?” Nwoyi tackled the Senate president.

And defending his action, Akpabio said “All we need to produce a leader is a simple majority. What’s the reason for not agreeing with the position of the majority? 41 minority senators signed for Abah Moro and 30 signed for Osita Ngwu.

“They have the majority. It would be unfair for me not to announce them after getting majority of support. My job is not to work with individual opinion but with majority of position.”

He said, ”I am in total sympathy with Labour Party, I am in total sympathy with the minority party, SDP and others.

Efforts by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) to convince Akpabio to stay in action on the seat of the Minority Whip failed as the Senate President ruled him out of order.

Aliero explained that the opposition Caucus resolved that Abba Moro should be the Minority Leader but was yet to decide on the position of the Minority Whip.

Not yielding to the pressure, Akpabio referred him to Senate Standing Rule 52(6), which says it shall be out of order for any senator to speak on any issue that has already been decided. Hence, Akpabio ruled him out of order.

The PDP maintains majority in the opposition with over 30 senators, while Labour Party has seven; SDP and NNPP two senators each; and APGA one.