…I went out to pray. There is nothing wrong in correcting Akpabio, we are all learning – Ndume
OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Senate, on Tuesday, was thrown into confusion, as the Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, stormed out of plenary in annoyance after being ruled out of order by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio, however, rose to the occasion to avert what could have been a rowdy session afterwards by calling the Senate into a closed session, which lasted close to two hours.
Discussion over a motion on the need to reopen the Nigeria-Benin Republic border triggered the face-off between Akpabio
Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South), had brought a motion on the border under a matter of urgent national importance of the Senate Standing Rules.
Discovering that the motion allegedly had no specific title, Senator Ndume (APC Borno South) raised a Point of Order to correct the “error”.
Attempt by the former Senate Leader to request correction for the alleged error, happened barely 10 minutes after commencement of the plenary, but the Senate President denied him the opportunity.
Standing on Order 51, Ndume requested the Senate President to allow for correction of any error made or observed in plenary.
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.”
He was however, intercepted by the Senate President who said having ruled on issues raised, it can not be revisited and consequently ruled Senator Ndume out of order.
Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West) made frantic effort to sustain Ndume’s line of argument through another Point of Order which was also swiftly ruled out of order by the Senate President.
Trying to salvage the situation, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau cited Order 16 which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator for correction or review of earlier decision taken.
Ndume was irked by the sustenance of Barau’s Point of Order by Akpabio. He raised another Order (54) to seek for correction of the perceived error.
The Senate President ruled him out of order again without being allowed to make full presentation of his argument.
Angered by Akpabio’s decision, Ndume packed his documents and furiously stormed out of the chamber.
Apparently perplexed by the scenario, Senators hurriedly went into closed door which lasted for more an hour after which the Senate continued with other matters listed on the Order Paper for the day.
Accosted st a Committee meeting immediately after plenary, Senator Ndume explained why he went out of plenary.
He said “I made a point and the Senate President ruled me out of order, then I left because you know, it was close to 1:30 pm and whatever business we are doing, I normally go to pray.
“The press misinterpreted it and the Senate President misinterpreted it, that I got annoyed and left.
“When I came to the office, they said the Senate was in executive session, that I should come because we said we should have executive session. I said let me go to the executive session briefly because I have already performed ablution and continue to the Mosque.
“That was what happened. I was just trying to guide the Senate President”, adding “we are all learning, including the Senate President.”
