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Senators drifted from their seats and formed small discussion clusters, leaving the chamber noisy and visibly disorganised.

A tense moment rippled through the Senate on Tuesday after Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) openly confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of disrupting proceedings and engaging in “unparliamentary conduct.”

Akpabio arrived at the chamber around 12:10pm, while plenary was already underway under the gavel of Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.

He took over smoothly as lawmakers considered scheduled bills. But within minutes, the session abruptly lost its rhythm.

The Senate President summoned Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for what began as a private consultation at the chair.

The circle soon widened as Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), and Barau Jibrin gathered around him.

The conversation stretched for more than 40 minutes, effectively freezing the plenary.

Senators drifted from their seats and formed small discussion clusters, leaving the chamber noisy and visibly disorganised.

Dismayed by the interruption, Goje rose on a point of order, invoking Order 55 of the Senate Standing Rules, which bars private interactions that obstruct ongoing proceedings.

He said the gathering around the Senate President violated the decorum required of the chamber.

“Interaction is not allowed. What is happening now is unparliamentary,” Goje said.

“You (Akpabio) should have taken this meeting outside. They should follow him and meet him outside. When we come to parliament, we do parliamentary business. Everything is at a standstill.

“We are not doing our actual business. We should go on recess; when we are ready, we can return and meet you.”

When the Senate President responded and said his point of order was noted, Senator Goje insisted that his point of order be sustained and that the meeting should be ended immediately.

“They should leave there, then we will move on. Or they can go inside, or we can go on recess, or we can go out and leave you, when we are ready, we come back and meet you.”

Responding, Akpabio explained that he had invited the senators for a brief consultation on an urgent assignment scheduled for 1pm at the Presidential Villa.

“Everybody that you see here was invited by the chair for a brief discussion in continuation of today’s sitting and in line with the order you’ve just read, whether or not we should proceed in view of a very urgent assignment at the Villa by 1:00 pm.,” he said.

Attempting to defuse the tension, Akpabio invited Goje to join the consultation, saying, “And please approach the chair so that you can be part of it,” an invitation Goje declined.

“I don’t want to be part of it. I’m opposed to this one. It is unparliamentary. It is wrong,” Goje replied.

The dramatic session added to a growing list of clashes between Akpabio and fellow lawmakers since he assumed office.

In October 2023, Senator Ali Ndume accused him of bias and stormed out of plenary over presiding irregularities.

Ndume was later removed as chief whip in July 2024 after making critical remarks about the administration.

In November 2023, Senator Tony Nwoye protested what he described as the imposition of minority leadership. In March 2024, Senator Abdul Ningi accused the leadership of undisclosed budget padding, leading to his temporary suspension.

December 2024 brought another flashpoint when Senator Ireti Kingibe walked out after her motion on FCT demolitions was ignored, though she later apologised.

In February 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following a protest over seat reassignment, a dispute that shifted to the courts.

In March 2025, Senator Seriake Dickson confronted Akpabio over the handling of debates on emergency rule in Rivers State, accusing him of attempting to “silence dissent.”

Tuesday’s confrontation with Goje adds fresh friction to an already turbulent relationship between the Senate President and several lawmakers, raising new questions about internal cohesion as the chamber continues its legislative calendar.