Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under heavy criticism from Nigerians on social media following his clash with the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, at Senate plenary on Thursday.
The controversy started when Kingibe walked out of the Senate chambers after Akpabio prevented her from raising a motion regarding the ongoing demolition of properties in the FCT by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Although some lawmakers intervened and advocated for Kingibe to be heard afterwhich she was later recalled to the chambers and was asked to apologise for walking out on her colleagues, before presenting her motion. The motion was eventually presented, and an eight-member committee was established to investigate the demolition exercise and engage with the FCT Administration.
However, the video of the incident has sparked outrage among netizens, who accused Akpabio of high-handedness and disrespect for women lawmakers.
A Facebook user, Friday Chukwuemeke expressed frustration:
“Just imagine, a lawyer misbehaving just to score political goals to the admiration of his principal. Why on earth will he prevent a lawmaker from speaking, and we say we’re in a democracy? Is this not tantamount to dictatorship? I have repeatedly said that this man called Akpabio is not fit to be a Senator, talkless of being the number 3 citizen. Na God go save us.”
Ekemini Samuel criticised the Senate President, describing him as unfit for his position. “A comedian is your number 3 man,” Samuel said.
Mathew Akhareme condemned Akpabio’s alleged condescension toward female lawmakers, stating, “The way Akpabio treats female senators is demeaning. You are asking her to apologize for walking out, forgetting it was a reaction to the disrespect and mistreatment you meted out on her. You were supposed to apologize to her too.”
Utsa Ushahemba Vitalis raised concerns about Akpabio’s attitude toward female Senators, he wrote, “I guess this man has a problem with gender issues. The same humiliating manner he once addressed Sen. Natasha H. Akpoti. This is bad and highly condemnable! Be strong, Sen. Ireti Kingibe.”
Other social media users questioned the role of feminists in addressing the issue. Manasseh Sesugh Manasseh wrote, “All these feminists won’t say anything now. This is the kind of stuff the likes of Saidaboj should be addressing. Akpabio has zero respect for women in this house.”
Others criticised the Senate’s habitual reliance on committees for tasks of national importance. Nonso Nicholas Edeani stated:, “Awkward set of people parading themselves as leaders. They’re always eager to set up a committee to investigate a problem that already obviously has a solution.”
“I think when Akpabio sits on that Senate President’s chair, he forgets that they all won senatorial constituencies. Maybe he’s thinking he won a state, and they won just one LGA. Someone should please remind that puppet of Tinubu,” said another user.
Dean Ojakre Aganbi wrote, “The way Senator Akpabio is running the affairs of the Senate like his personal business baffles me. I really give it to Senator Ireti Kingibe for always standing out 👏👏👏.”
The incident reignited debates about leadership conduct and gender sensitivity within the Senate as many Nigerians called on Akpabio to demonstrate mutual respect for all Senators, irrespective of gender or political alignment.