The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims of a disagreement between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, describing the reports as entirely false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, said media reports suggesting a clash during a recent executive session were based on misinterpretations of routine parliamentary proceedings.
Senator Adaramodu said that there was no iota of truth in the claims, adding that they misconstrue time-tested practices and traditions in the parliament worldwide.
According to him, there is no iota of truth in the claims. In entirety, they misconstrue time-tested practices and traditions in the parliament worldwide.
He emphasised that it is common in legislative chambers globally for members to engage in robust debates on matters of national interest.
The statement clarified that the reported disagreement arose during a closed-door session held to deliberate on whether the Senate should proceed on its annual recess.
However, Adaramodu explained that such sessions are standard practice and serve as avenues for members to debate issues openly and decisively, irrespective of party affiliations.
“As our country’s highest law-making institution, the Senate, like other parliaments, subjects every bill, motion and proposal to intense scrutiny, ” he said.
Adaramodu emphasised that spirited discussions on the floor or in committee rooms should not be mistaken for internal conflict or leadership cracks.
He noted that debates on policy issues should not be misconstrued as altercations among members, neither do they suggest any crack in the rank of the leadership.
“Debates on policy issues should not be misconstrued as altercations among members, neither do they suggest any crack in the rank of the leadership, ” he added.
