The Senate’s return to plenary was marred by a tumultuous scene on Tuesday, with senators engaging in a heated dispute over seating arrangements in the newly renovated chamber.
As proceedings commenced and birthdays were announced, Senator Sahabi Yau escalated tensions by confronting Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele, sparking a chain reaction of finger-pointing and shouting.
The altercation, reportedly triggered by dissatisfaction with seating allocations, saw senior senators expressing anger over their assigned seats, particularly those in the front row on the last right side of the aisle, as reported by The Punch.
Despite attempts by the Senate President to restore order, the chaos persisted for about 20 minutes, with tempers flaring and arguments intensifying.
Following the welcome-back speech, the Senate leader motioned for a closed-door session, which was swiftly adopted, marking the culmination of the turbulent session.
The Senate’s adjournment on March 20 had anticipated a smooth return on April 16, but delays in completing the chamber’s renovation, ongoing since 2022, contributed to the heightened tensions witnessed on this day of resumed plenary.
