“YOU CANNOT TURN US INTO SLAVES!” — GOJE, MORO LEAD SENATE REVOLT AGAINST AKPABIO’S RULES SHAKE-UP

…Chaotic Plenary Rocks Upper Chamber, ‘Power Grab’ Allegations Fly, #SlavesInSenate Trends Nationwide
The Nigerian Senate descended into high drama on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, as Senators Danjuma Goje and Abba Patrick Moro mounted a blistering resistance against Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s controversial attempt to amend the chamber’s standing orders.

In a moment that jolted the Red Chamber, Goje thundered, “You cannot turn us to slaves in the Senate!”—a fiery declaration that echoed across the chamber and ignited a storm of outrage among lawmakers who viewed the proposed amendments as a brazen power play.

The contentious debate began when Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele presented a motion seeking to restructure Senate rules, including provisions for new committees and procedural “streamlining.” But critics quickly discovered what they called hidden daggers buried deep in the fine print—clauses they alleged were crafted to entrench Akpabio’s loyalists and tilt future leadership battles.

Goje, a veteran lawmaker and former governor of Gombe State, wasted no time tearing into the proposal. Rising with controlled fury, he demanded the immediate deletion of sections 1, 2, and 3 of the amendment.
“This is not reform,” he declared. “It is a coup in disguise—smuggled in to shrink the space for fair competition.”

Minority Leader Abba Moro bolstered the opposition with a precise and pointed intervention, citing Order 109 of the Senate rulebook.
“Such amendments must follow due process—submission, printing, circulation, and placement on the Order Paper,” he insisted.
His statement, calm yet firm, underscored the depth of unease spreading through the chamber.

As murmurs grew into open dissent, Akpabio attempted to defend the proposed “ranking” rule, arguing it would prevent newcomers from bypassing experienced lawmakers. But his explanation fell flat, drawing snickers and jeers, especially from opposition benches.

Overwhelmed by the pushback, Akpabio reluctantly upheld Moro’s point of order and stepped down the motion—an unmistakable retreat that signaled a rare victory for the minority caucus.

Outside the chambers, Goje did not mince words.
“We were elected to represent Nigerians—not to bend to one man’s desires,” he told journalists.
Moro echoed this sentiment, warning:
“When due process is ignored, democracy itself is weakened.”

Within minutes, social media erupted. #SlavesInSenate shot to the top of national trends as clips of Goje’s explosive outburst went viral, sparking calls for increased transparency in legislative conduct.

Political analysts say the revolt reveals widening fractures in the APC-dominated Senate, where Akpabio’s leadership style—marked by controversial suspensions and frequent walkouts—has stirred discontent even within his own ranks. With Nigeria confronting economic hardship and worsening security challenges, observers warn that deepening legislative rifts could stall urgent national reforms, including deliberations on the 2026 budget.

For Senate President Akpabio, the confrontation serves as a stark warning: dissent is simmering, and the chamber he presides over is far from united. His allies have shrugged it off as a temporary misunderstanding, but rumours of a quiet no-confidence push continue to swirl.

In the end, the showdown was more than a dispute over rules—it was a dramatic clash for the soul and independence of the Nigerian Senate.
A reminder that even in Abuja’s corridors of power, no lawmaker is willing to bow to a self-styled master.