“Senator Goje Accuses Senate President Akpabio of Unparliamentary Conduct”

A tense moment occurred in the Senate on Tuesday when Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of violating parliamentary rules by convening a private meeting during an active plenary session. Goje cited the Senate Standing Rules, which prohibit side gatherings while plenary is in progress.

Goje argued that the group of senators clustered around the chair disrupted proceedings, rendering the chamber disorderly and preventing normal legislative business. He described the meeting as “unparliamentary” and insisted that interactions should only relate to the business formally before the Senate.

In response, Akpabio said the senators had been summoned for a brief consultation regarding a time-sensitive assignment and invited Goje to join. Goje declined, maintaining that participating would breach Senate rules.

The confrontation disrupted proceedings for over 30 minutes before the session resumed. The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions within the Senate regarding presiding procedures and the appropriateness of informal consultations during plenary sessions.