The upper chamber of the National Assembly hurriedly entered into executive session on Tuesday during plenary to stall a looming crisis.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), who was not happy the way he was treated by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over an issue on the floor of the chamber, expressed his dissatisfaction by storming out of the chamber.
This development led to the Senate to hurriedly went into closed door to douse the tension on the floor.
Few minutes after commencement of plenary, Ndume raised a point of order on alleged errors committed that was not corrected by the President of the Senate.
The error in question was a motion moved by Senator Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South), for debate on the need for re-opening of Nigeria – Niger Border, without stating the title of his motion.
Standing on Order 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, Ndume requested the President of the Senate to allow for correction of any error made or observed in plenary.
Ndume said: “This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws, rules and procedures. If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed, they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceeding.”
But Akpabio quick said that he has ruled and cannot revisit the issue and subsequently ruled Ndume out of order.
In a spirited effort to sustain Ndume argument, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC Kogi West) came through another point of order but was also switly ruled out of order by the President of the Senate.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau quickly rose to read order 16, which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator for correction or review of earlier decision taken.
Akpabio, however, sustained Barau’s point of order, a development that angered Ndume, who raised another point of order (order 54) to seek for correction of perceived error.
But without being allowed to make full presentation of his argument, Akpabio ruled Ndume out of order again.
Piqued by the President action, Ndume packed his documents and furiously stormed out of the chamber.
Confused by the scenario, Senators hurriedly went into closed door, apparently to douse the situation.