Senate President Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele Reportedly Exchange Blows Inside Senate Cafeteria
The incident, described by eyewitnesses as a heated exchange that escalated into blows, underscores growing tensions within the Nigerian Senate.
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Senate President Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele Reportedly Exchange Blows Inside Senate Cafeteria
In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reportedly engaged in a physical altercation at the Senate cafeteria.
The incident, described by eyewitnesses as a heated exchange that escalated into blows, underscores growing tensions within the Nigerian Senate.
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According to Jackson Ude, a U.S.-based Nigerian investigative journalist, the altercation saw both high-ranking senators grappling and holding each other by the neck.
It reportedly required the immediate intervention of Senator Sani Bello of Niger State to de-escalate the situation and prevent what could have turned into a “bloodbath.”
The confrontation allegedly stems from deep-seated frustrations over Senate leadership and perceived marginalization.
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Sources claim that Senator Bamidele’s grievances are rooted in Akpabio’s decision to appoint a Northerner as chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, Upstream. Bamidele, representing the South West caucus, has accused Akpabio of sidelining the region in favor of awarding key committee positions to his allies and friends.
The altercation highlights a growing division within the Senate over what some have criticized as Akpabio’s leadership style. Insiders suggest that dissatisfaction has been brewing, with accusations of favoritism exacerbating tensions among senators.
As of Wednesday, neither Akpabio nor Bamidele was present at the Senate chambers, fueling further speculation about the fallout from their clash. Both parties have yet to release official statements addressing the incident.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on a report by Jackson Ude, an investigative journalist and Poinblanknews‘s Editor-in-Chief. The claims have not been independently verified by News Week Nigeria
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