The first plenary session of the Senate in the newly renovated Hallowed Chamber took a different turn on Tuesday as Senators engaged in a heated dispute over seating arrangements, ultimately leading to a temporary halt in proceedings as the President of the Senate called for a close session.
The atmosphere of anticipation and excitement surrounding the inaugural session in the revamped chamber quickly dissipated as tensions flared among Senators.
Trouble arose when Senate President Godswill Akpabio began acknowledging Senators who celebrated birthdays during the forty-day recess.
Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u of the APC Zamfara North constituency voiced his discontent with his allocated seat, initially expressing his grievances to Senate Leader Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele of the APC Ekiti Central.
What began as a subdued complaint soon escalated into a full-blown shouting match between the two Senators, igniting reactions from their colleagues and plunging the chamber into chaos.
Senator Ya’u vehemently argued that his seating position, located at the far right of the chamber, was unsuitable for a Senator of his stature, having previously held the esteemed position of Deputy Minority Whip during the 9th National Assembly.
Also, Senator Danjuma Goje of the APC Gombe Central constituency echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the arrangement for not adequately prioritizing ranking Senators.
In a bid to restore order, Senate President Akpabio intervened, calling upon Senator Bamidele and the disgruntled Senators to approach the chair for resolution.
Following this intervention, Akpabio was able to proceed with his welcome address, albeit after a delay caused by the altercation.
Subsequently, an emergency executive session was convened by Senator Bamidele, presumably aimed at quelling the brewing discontent among Senators regarding the seating arrangements.
