A heated clash erupted during a closed-door Senate session on Wednesday, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele engaged in a shouting match that nearly turned physical.
A heated clash erupted during a closed-door Senate session on Wednesday, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele engaged in a shouting match that nearly turned physical. The session was called to decide whether to adjourn this week or next for the Senate’s annual two-month recess.
According to SaharaReporters, disagreements over the timing exposed deep leadership rifts. Senator Ali Ndume criticized the failure to hold a prior leadership meeting, urging better coordination.
Frustrations boiled over when Bamidele accused Akpabio of autocratic leadership. “I am frustrated as Senate Leader working under Senate President Akpabio,” he said. “He does not call leadership meetings… I am contemplating resigning.”
Akpabio responded angrily: “Senator Opeyemi should sit down!… I am in charge here.”
Sources said both men nearly came to blows before colleagues intervened. No official comment had been made as of press time. Efforts to reach Senate Media Committee Chair Yemi Adaramodu were unsuccessful. A similar 2024 altercation was previously dismissed as false.