TENSION rippled through the National Assembly on Wednesday following conflicting statements from two senior lawmakers over alleged moves to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
While Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele firmly dismissed the rumours as baseless and mischievous, former Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu confirmed that there had indeed been past attempts by some lawmakers to unseat Akpabio though he said the plots were thwarted in the interest of unity.
The development comes amid renewed speculation of internal wrangling within the upper chamber, nearly 17 months after Akpabio assumed office as Senate President in June 2023.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate during Wednesday’s plenary, Bamidele dismissed the reports as “falsehoods designed to destabilize the institution.”
“There was no attempt by any of our colleagues, nor any discussion on the possibility of removing the Senate President,” he said. “We are totally united and have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for distractions because there are urgent matters of national importance demanding our attention. Reports like that are meant to create confusion.”
Bamidele emphasized that the Senate’s focus remained on passing legislation that would support President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda and address the daily challenges faced by Nigerians.
“The Senate is stable. There is no crisis, no plan to remove anyone. Our attention is on issues that directly affect Nigerians,” he declared.
However, barely 24 hours earlier, Senator Kalu (Abia North) had told journalists at the National Assembly that there were indeed efforts in the past to oust Akpabio but that key members intervened to preserve harmony.
“Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That is why I always say we are one big family, and it is not going to happen,” Kalu said.
The former Abia governor, who served as Chief Whip in the 9th Senate, urged lawmakers to prioritize national cohesion over political scheming.
“Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are going through. We are more interested in the people. The legislations we are making are pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day,” he added.
The latest controversy revives familiar speculation that has dogged Akpabio’s tenure since his emergence as the 10th Senate President.
In October 2024, rumours of a northern senators’ plot to remove Akpabio forced the chamber to pass a vote of confidence in his leadership. At the time, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) dissociated the Northern Senators’ Forum from any such plan, describing the reports as “divisive and dangerous.”
Barely a year later, the chamber again found itself in the spotlight amid talk of growing discontent over Akpabio’s leadership style and alleged over-closeness to the executive arm.
Sources within the National Assembly say tensions between Akpabio’s allies and dissenting senators have often stemmed from issues of regional balance, influence, and legislative independence.
In July 2025, a heated closed-door session reportedly saw a confrontation between Akpabio and Bamidele over the Senate’s recess schedule, a claim both camps later denied. Similar reports had circulated in November 2024, alleging a near-physical altercation between the two leaders.
Despite recurring rumours, Akpabio has weathered every storm so far, relying on strong backing from the executive and a coalition of loyal senators.
A senior legislative aide, speaking anonymously, said, “It’s not unusual to have political tension in a multi-party Senate. But right now, the institution seems united behind Akpabio. The noise is more outside than inside.”