Senate in rowdy session over alleged plot by APC to cause mayhem in Akwa Ibom

There was a rowdy session at the Senate on Wednesday as Senator Godswill Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom north west senatorial district rose to respond to the allegation that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was plotting to cause mayhem in the state during the 2019 general polls.

Senator Bassey Akpan representing Akwa Ibom north east at plenary, drew the attention of the Senate through a point of order, alleging that the APC was perfecting plans to violently scuttle the 2019 gubernatorial election in a bid to impose an APC government.

It would be recalled that Akpabio, the former minority leader of the Senate, recently defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling APC.

Apparently unsettled by the allegation, he rose to speak but was disallowed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who cited improper sitting arrangement based on parliamentary rules against him.

This development, however, degenerated into a shouting match along party lines.

Further, it was explained that Akpabio could not be permitted to speak from where he sat because there was no microphone which was said to be contrary to senate rules.

Nonetheless, the senate president was able to control the situation and continued with parliamentary proceedings of the day, as he noted the motion as moved under personal explanation by Akpan.