The Senate has initiated an investigation following alarming reports that operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken control of the National Assembly on Wednesday morning. This unprecedented move was allegedly aimed at preventing the impeachment of Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President.
During the Senate session on the same day, Akpabio refuted claims of a DSS invasion, insisting that such a scenario was unfounded. He urged Senator Shehu Kaka from Borno Central, who heads the Senate Committee, to conduct a prompt investigation and deliver findings within twenty-four hours. Akpabio, who has faced considerable controversy since assuming the Senate presidency in 2023, made this request in a subdued tone, stating, “Sen. Kaka, investigate and report back to us as soon as possible practicable.”
The call for an inquiry was spurred by a report from a parliamentary publication, Order Paper, which described the National Assembly’s surroundings on Wednesday morning as resembling a war zone due to the presence of DSS personnel. Allegations circulated that Northern Senators, reportedly dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu, were reviving earlier attempts to unseat Akpabio.
In an effort to quell rising tensions, Akpabio addressed the issue head-on, denouncing social media claims that the DSS had encircled the assembly amid looming impeachment threats against key officials. He stated, “There is no limit to social media. We are here sitting down and doing our work very peacefully, oblivious to the mischief that is going on behind us.” He expressed his concern about the dissemination of false information and suggested that the public should recognize it as fake news, emphasizing the stability of the Senate chamber.
To further clarify the situation, Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Special Duties for investigation, insisting on a report back to the Senate within a day. His tenure has been marked by recurrent impeachment rumors, largely attributed to his controversial remarks and perceived divisiveness within the Senate. However, he has consistently navigated these challenges, primarily due to his strong alliance with President Tinubu, who supported his rise to leadership. This latest incident has raised alarm bells, especially given the dissatisfaction voiced by certain Northern senators regarding Akpabio’s leadership and his perceived endorsement of the president’s policies, which have faced criticism for their ineffectiveness.