The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has promised to mobilize Niger Delta senators to address the ongoing political situation in Rivers State.
During a visit by a group from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum on a solidarity mission, Akpabio made this announcement on Friday in Abuja.
The Senate President reportedly promised to work with other regional parliamentarians to bring about a permanent peace in Rivers State and other subnational entities that are facing comparable political problems.
Rivers State’s political turmoil has worsened since the Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot distribute cash until a genuine House of Assembly, headed by Martin Amaewhule, is established. Governor Siminalayi Fubara was given a 48-hour ultimatum by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Amaewhule, to submit the 2025 budget to the House in response to the verdict. The cutoff time was Wednesday at midnight.
The Assembly also ordered Governor Fubara to fire all commissioners and political appointments and urged him to provide a new list of commissioners for consideration.
Regarding Senate Decisions, Akpabio Warns Critics
In addition, Akpabio hit out at what he called “armchair critics,” advising them to avoid making ignorant remarks about Senate operations.
He said those who are not familiar with parliamentary procedures should not insult the Upper Chamber.
Following the Senate’s recent suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly breaking Senate rules, his comments follow suit.
Akpabio bemoaned the degree of public outrage at the ruling and questioned why nobody was curious in the Senate’s unanimous decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Before you start airing commentary on television, you should try to find out the facts. “We advise the public to refrain from running commentaries on topics they are ignorant of and misquoting Senate rules,” he stated.
Niger Delta’s Interest in Senate Presidency
As the delegation’s leader, Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., pointed out that it had been 46 years since a senator from the Niger Delta had served as Senate President, Akpabio promised that the people of the area would not take the role lightly.
He stated, “Today’s Senate President is not speaking for himself alone. He speaks on behalf of a group of people who are vital to this nation’s economy.
When people band together and plot, I hear voices from Adamawa and Kwara State shouting, and I hear some young people from the Southwest being used for something they don’t understand. They don’t know the Senate’s rules, and you can’t be a herbalist and start quoting the Bible because you won’t know what to say.
The Pope is more knowledgeable about the Bible than you are if you have never studied it or have anything to do with Christianity. The same is true with Quranic quotations; if you are not an Imam, you cannot begin.
“However, you see ignorant individuals sitting down precisely like they do, such as sports analysts, and then they will remark that if you were Messi, you would have kicked from the center and that Ronaldo should have struck from the left. You then make television commentary.
Regarding matters pertaining to the National Assembly’s sacred chamber, however, it is impossible to quote what you have never witnessed. Upon being elected to the Senate or the House of Representatives, the Red Book is the first item you will receive following your inauguration.
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You must read and abide by the Standing Orders in that Red Book, which will uphold decorum and discipline while walking you through the legislative process step-by-step. They will give you a Green Book to represent the Green Chamber in the House of Representatives.
But sometimes it disturbs me when individuals start debating the provisions they don’t know about since they are not well-informed about the procedures.
It is clear that you are concerned about the current state of affairs. We have a system in place to resolve conflicts, and we have resolved this one and will do so in the future.
