In an explosive and unprecedented scene inside Nigeria’s hallowed upper legislative chamber, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele nearly came to physical blows during a heated closed-door session on Wednesday evening, plunging the red chamber into utter disarray.
The tension, which had been simmering behind the scenes for months, finally boiled over during an executive session convened to decide whether to adjourn the current legislative sitting this week or the next, ahead of the Senate’s customary two-month annual recess.
Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that sharp disagreements among the chamber’s leadership hierarchy exposed deep cracks in the Senate’s unity. Senator Ali Ndume lit the fuse when he openly berated the Senate leadership for failing to conduct internal consultations prior to the executive session.
“This is not the way things are done,” Ndume reportedly said, urging for better coordination and communication among Senate leaders.
But what followed shocked even seasoned lawmakers.
Senator Bamidele seized the moment to voice pent-up frustrations, launching a scathing critique of Akpabio’s leadership style.
“I am frustrated as Senate Leader working under Senate President Akpabio,” he reportedly declared. “He doesn’t call leadership meetings. He consults no one. He runs the Senate like a dictatorship. In fact, I am seriously contemplating stepping down as Senate Leader.”
Akpabio Snaps: “I Am in Charge!”
Akpabio, visibly enraged, interrupted Bamidele mid-sentence, yelling with fury.
“Opeyemi, sit down! You cannot speak when I’m speaking. I am in charge here!” Akpabio reportedly thundered. “I have served as Commissioner, two-term Governor, Senate Minority Leader, and a powerful Minister. I understand the rules of this Senate far better than you!”
As the exchange escalated, both men reportedly stood up in what eyewitnesses described as a near-physical confrontation. The session quickly descended into chaos until fellow senators jumped in to restrain the feuding leaders and restore order.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the Senate on the altercation. Attempts to reach the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, proved abortive, as his phone line remained switched off and his WhatsApp status inactive.
Déjà Vu: History Repeats Itself
This isn’t the first time reports of a clash between Akpabio and Bamidele have surfaced. In November 2024, similar allegations of a shouting match between the two lawmakers made the rounds on social media, particularly via a post by journalist Jackson Ude on X (formerly Twitter). However, the Office of the Senate Leader at the time dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
A statement released then by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Senate Leader’s Office described the report as “fake news” aimed at undermining the integrity of the Senate. The office also insisted that Senator Bamidele, a veteran of over two decades in Nigerian politics and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), had never engaged in any physical altercation.
Wednesday’s incident may mark a turning point in the internal power dynamics of the 10th National Assembly. What was meant to be a routine deliberation has instead unveiled deep fractures in the Senate’s leadership — a troubling sign as the nation watches closely.
With no resolution yet in sight, Nigerians will be keen to see whether this political rift leads to resignations, reconciliations, or a deeper implosion within the Senate.
PIONEER NEWS 