Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has categorically rejected claims circulating in various media outlets suggesting that lawmakers are plotting to remove Senator Godswill Akpabio from his position as Senate President.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who serves as the Senate Leader, addressed the matter during Wednesday’s plenary session in Abuja, branding the reports as misleading and deliberately crafted to destabilize the National Assembly.
Speaking on the floor of the Red Chamber, Bamidele made it clear that no conversations or deliberations had taken place among senators regarding any potential leadership change. He stressed that the chamber maintains solid unity and remains committed to addressing pressing national concerns rather than entertaining distractions.
“No colleague has made any attempt, nor has there been any form of discussion concerning the possibility of removing the Senate President from office,” Bamidele declared. “Our chamber is completely united. We have adopted a strict policy against distractions because critical matters of public interest demand our full attention. Such fabricated stories are designed purely to breed confusion.”
The clarification followed earlier comments made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State who currently represents Abia North Senatorial District. While speaking with journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday, Kalu dismissed suggestions of any anti-Akpabio conspiracy within the legislative body.
When questioned directly about whether senators had contemplated removing the Senate President, the former Abia State chief executive responded firmly: “Were you present during any such discussions? Even if attempts were made, we would never permit such actions to succeed. The Senate operates as one united family, and such scenarios will not materialize.”
Kalu acknowledged that the chamber occasionally experiences what he described as “family misunderstandings” but emphasized that such internal differences are always resolved amicably and have never escalated to considerations of leadership removal.
The Senate Leader reiterated during plenary that lawmakers remain laser-focused on their constitutional responsibilities without allowing unnecessary controversies to derail their legislative agenda.
Investigations reveal that disagreements among senators occasionally arise over matters including constituency project allocations, budget appropriations, equitable representation on committees, legislative processes, and oversight functions. When tensions escalate, the chamber typically convenes behind-closed-door executive sessions to address contentious issues away from public scrutiny.
Sources familiar with Senate operations indicate that during these private meetings, debates can become heated as lawmakers express their grievances and concerns. However, calling for the removal of presiding officers rarely features as a primary option during such deliberations.
Procedurally, successfully removing the Senate President would require substantial political backing, including potential support from the executive arm of government, alongside a two-thirds majority vote from all 109 senators in the chamber.
With both the Senate Leader and senior lawmakers publicly affirming institutional cohesion, the upper legislative house has effectively silenced speculation about internal rifts or impeachment schemes, reaffirming its dedication to legislative stability and national development under Senator Akpabio’s continued leadership.