Impeachment: Senators throw weight behind Akpabio, pass vote of confidence
Twenty-four hours after refuting reports of an alleged impeachment plot against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in him and the entire leadership of the Red Chamber.
Reports of a purported impeachment plot by unnamed northern senators surfaced on social media on Wednesday morning, but both the Senate and Akpabio himself swiftly dismissed it as fake news.
However, during Thursday’s plenary, Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North) rose under orders 10 and 42 of the Senate standing rules to address the issue again.
Abdullahi emphasised the importance of dispelling the false narrative and clearing the names of northern senators accused of plotting the impeachment.
“The publication is undermining the context of our democracy and is undermining the capacity of this institution to deliver in the presence of governors of this country,” Abdullahi stated.
He further called for unity, saying, “We must rise and get united under the leadership to ensure that this kind of discourse is completely negated so that the kind of unity we have forged in the last 18 months can be sustained and fully accomplished.”
Abdullahi vehemently rejected the notion that northern senators were involved in any such plot, adding, “For us to be characterised as promoting or supporting anybody to bring the leadership of this institution down is bad and should be disregarded.”
He continued, “I have never in my life associated with anybody in order to bring or divide any institution along ethnic or traditional lines. I think this is the work of some enemies, which should be resisted, and all of us should stand united behind the Senate leadership to make sure that this institution is preserved.”
Also, Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who moved the motion for a vote of confidence in Akpabio and the Senate leadership, also dismissed the report as a fabrication targeting northern senators.
“I move that, on behalf of other senators, we pass a vote of confidence in your leadership and that of the entire Senate leadership,” Ningi said.
Similarly, Ismaila Kawu (NNPP, Kano South) and Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), supported the motion, which was unanimously affirmed when put to a voice vote.
In his remarks after the vote of confidence, Akpabio expressed his gratitude to the senators for their unwavering support.
“On behalf of my brother, the Deputy Senate President, and the entire leadership, I assure you that the cooperation and bond existing between us and the Senate will continue,” Akpabio said.
“No amount of people, no social media will come here to break that bond. I thank you for this, and we are very humbled,” he added.
He concluded by promising to uphold the trust placed in him and his leadership.
He said, “We are confident that, in the coming months and years, we will justify the confidence you have placed in us.”
