…says the Senate is too mature and full of mature people
By Chimaobi Afiauwa, Abuja
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has allayed fears of any possible fisticuffs amongst senators in the upper legislative chambers, saying the senate is mature enough to resolve its internal issues amicably.
Akpabio also pointed out that the Senate is full of mature politicians who understand the dynamics of interest in politics.
The Senate President’s comment comes after intense media speculation of discord amongst senators over his handling of legislative affairs in the red chambers, with the most recent being a disagreement between him and his Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, who staged a walkout of plenary on Tuesday.
But speaking to journalists after meeting behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he dismissed reports of any problem in the senate.
He said, “In parliament, sometimes you disagree to agree. We are all working together. There is no problem at all. Even if some people disagree on some of the happenings in the Senate, it is still only the majority decision that is going to prevail, and parliament is like that.
“But we will never get to the point of throwing chairs. We will never get to that point. The senate is too mature, full of mature people, so if we have a disagreement, we immediately go into a closed session, resolve it, and come out smiling.
“We are politicians; there is no permanent hatred but permanent interest. That interest is the interest of the nation. To support the President, support his administration in legislation and oversight functions to succeed in order to move the country forward, and that is what we have been doing, and that is what we are committed to doing.”
On why he visited President Tinubu, Akpabio explained that he was at State House to inform the President of the first 10th Assembly retreat, which is slated to be held in Akwa Ibom State, beginning on Thursday, and also to solicit his support towards ensuring representation at the retreat.
“And he has graciously done that, and I told him some of the things we are going to discuss—task reform and ways of ensuring the generation of revenue for him to work for Nigerians,” he said.
“He needs to be informed that the Senate will not be available in Abuja. We are moving the Senate all the way to Akwa Ibom for the next four days. Thereafter, I will be traveling to Angola to attend the international parliamentary union, so before he sees me, it will take probably another nine days. So, I needed to inform him,” he added.
