Fresh cracks are said to have emerged within the leadership of the Nigerian Senate after a public disagreement between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele regarding Akpabio’s leadership approach, according to reports by Daily Trust.
The confrontation reportedly occurred during Wednesday’s plenary session and is viewed by insiders as a reflection of growing tensions between key figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Although earlier reports of internal discord were previously dismissed, sources claim that unresolved issues dating back to Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President in 2023 have continued to cause unease, particularly among principal officers who allegedly feel sidelined by what they perceive as his domineering leadership.
Political analyst Dr. Abubakar Kari, a lecturer in political economy at the University of Abuja, warned that the ongoing rift, if not resolved, could have serious implications for both the Senate and the APC’s hold on the legislature. He explained that the open disagreement between two of the Senate’s top three leaders was damaging, describing it as a highly acrimonious situation that could destabilize the institution.
Dr. Kari emphasized that legislative bodies like the Senate are expected to operate through harmony and consensus, without which they cannot function effectively. He also pointed out that Senator Bamidele’s close ties to President Tinubu might give him a strategic advantage in the internal power struggle.
“If there’s a cabal in the presidency, Bamidele is part of it. He’s been with Tinubu for a long time. I don’t see how Akpabio can win a prolonged battle against someone that close to the Villa,” he said.
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