News Investigators/ The Senate, on Wednesday, moved swiftly to quell rumours about the alleged impeachment of President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, describing the reports as baseless and misleading.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele emphasised that the claims had been “quoted out of context” and that there had been no discussion regarding the removal of Akpabio.
Mr Bamidele was reacting to Orji Uzor Kalu’s statement during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Kalu at the briefing had dismissed reports on the alleged move for Akpabio’s impeachment.
Mr Kalu dismissed the tension as a “family misunderstanding,” insisting that lawmakers remained united in supporting the leadership and the national agenda.
“There were attempts, but we didn’t allow that to happen. We are one big family and it’s not going to happen,” he said.
Mr Bamidele in his reaction recounted that efforts were made to clarify the matter directly with Sen. Kalu.
He said. “From my discussions with Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, it was obvious to me that he was quoted out of context.
“And the reason I’m standing up to make this clarification is that there was no attempt by any of our colleagues here.
“There was in fact, no discussion around the possibility or otherwise of the removal of his Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate.
“And we are not taking this misinformation for granted because we know that at this time, it’s not only that we are all united behind the leadership of his Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate.
“We are also developing a zero level of tolerance to distraction because there are very urgent issues of public importance that we need to attend to in this Senate.
“And we are trying to ensure that we prevent any form of distraction and such a report like that was aimed at causing distraction and trying to create confusion on the minds of members of the public.
“We are totally united in this Senate and there is no tension in this Senate and as far as we are concerned, you know there is no reason for us to begin to contemplate the removal of any of our principal officials.
“So I just wanted to state this for the record,” Bamidele said.
Responding, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau who presided over the plenary said “thank you our capacity leader for this clarification. All and sundry should please take note”.
NAN