Tensions ran high in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday as Chief Whip Ali Ndume staged a dramatic walkout following a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ndume had raised a point of order, citing Order 54 of the Senate Rule Book, to express concerns about the Senate President’s conduct in the chamber, which he believed was against the rules.
In his statement, Ndume said, “Mr. President, there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to learn.”
However, Akpabio swiftly ruled him out of order before he could finish his speech.
Clearly infuriated by this decision, Ndume left the chamber abruptly and headed to his office. Shortly thereafter, he received a call from a colleague, instructing him to return to the chamber for an executive session.
As of the time of this report, the executive session was still ongoing, and details about the nature of the conflict and its resolution have not yet emerged.
