The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has walked out of plenary after Senate President, Godswill Akpabio ruled him out of order.
His action led to an emergency closed-door session of the Senate during plenary at the Red Chambers on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Ndume had raised a point of order, citing Order 54 of Senate rule, adding that it was the responsibility of the Chief Whip to remind and guide the Senate on procedure and processes of plenary.
He drew the attention of the Senate president on affairs in the chambers, which he said were not in tandem with the rules.
The chief whip said: “Mr. President, there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to learn….”
But Akpabio immediately interrupted him and requested for a copy of the Standing Orders.
He read order 54, arguing that it did not support the point Ndume was making and thereafter ruled him out of order.
Irked by Sen Akpabio’s comment, Ndume angrily packed files papers on his desk, stormed out of the Chamber and went straight to his office.
The angry Ndume was about to settle down when he received a call that the Senate President requested for a closed session.
As at the time of filling this report, the executive session is in progress.
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