Closed-door session turns chaotic as Senate President and Senate Leader lock horns over leadership style and adjournment timing
The Nigerian Senate was thrown into disarray on Wednesday evening as a closed-door executive session nearly descended into a physical altercation between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. The heated confrontation, which caught many lawmakers off guard, has further exposed deepening cracks within the Senate leadership.
According to insider accounts, the altercation began during deliberations over whether to adjourn the current legislative session this week or next, ahead of the Senate’s annual two-month recess. However, the agenda quickly veered off course as Senator Ali Ndume raised concerns over a lack of coordination within the chamber’s leadership. Ndume criticized the failure to hold a pre-session meeting, labeling it as a sign of disorganization and poor leadership.
His remarks appeared to trigger long-simmering frustrations. In an unexpected outburst, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele openly challenged Akpabio’s leadership style. “I am frustrated as Senate Leader working under Senate President Akpabio,” Bamidele reportedly said. “He does not call leadership meetings, he doesn’t consult with anyone. He is autocratic. In fact, I am contemplating resigning as Senate Leader.”
Akpabio, visibly enraged, snapped back. “Senator Opeyemi should sit down! He cannot speak while I am speaking. I am in charge here,” he reportedly shouted. “I have served as Commissioner, two-term Governor, Senate Minority Leader, and a powerful Minister. I know the Senate rules and leadership more than you.”
The shouting match escalated rapidly, with both men reportedly on the verge of a physical confrontation before other senators intervened to defuse the situation and restore calm.
This isn’t the first time tensions between Akpabio and Bamidele have flared. In 2024, reports surfaced alleging a physical altercation between the two, though it was swiftly denied by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs from the Senate Leader’s office.
As the Senate edges closer to recess, Wednesday’s incident has underscored the fragile state of internal unity and raised fresh questions about leadership cohesion within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.
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