The Nigerian Senate has refuted media reports alleging a clash between the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during an executive session held to deliberate on whether the upper legislative chamber should proceed on its annual recess.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate described the reports as entirely false and misleading.
“The reports do not contain any iota of truth. In their entirety, they misconstrue our time-tested practices and traditions, not just in Nigeria, but in parliaments around the world,” Adaramodu said.
He explained that legislative debates whether in the chamber or in executive sessions are a routine part of parliamentary proceedings, and should not be misconstrued as signs of internal conflict or division.
“Every bill, motion, and proposal is subjected to intense scrutiny in the Senate. This involves robust debate where members dissect every initiative before it is passed, purely in the interest of over 230 million Nigerians,” the statement added.
Senator Adaramodu emphasized that constructive disagreements are a hallmark of democracy and should not be interpreted as a breakdown in leadership unity.
He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to democratic values, legislative transparency, and national development, urging the public and media to always verify facts before drawing conclusions.
