There were pockets of unrest today at the Senate floor of the National Assembly when two principal officers of the red chambers were announced by the Senate President.
Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) was announced as minority leader and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) as minority whip by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
This development did not seat well with lawmakers from the Labour Party who did not find the appointments palatable.
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The newly appointed officers were out in replacement of two sack senators, Simon Mwadkwon (PDP, Plateau North) and Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central), respectively.
LP Senator Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) blew hot at Akpabio, accusing him of foisting leaders on them.
His words:
“Are we your slaves? Why will the Senate president be picking leaders for us?” Nwoye said, directing his frustration towards the presiding officer.
A visibly calm Akpabio however explained that the announcement of both appointments were both results of a consensus agreement of majority of senators in the minority wing of the house.
“Minority put your house in order first,” Akpabio urged the disgruntled senators. “The senate president can only work with what is before me. You have Senator Abaribe and Aliero, their names are not here.”
The Senate president also promised to listen to the opinion of every member of the senate and their reservations on the issue.