Opeyemi Bamidele, the leader of the Senate, has alleged that northern senators frequently try to unseat a senator from the south.

“I’m speaking as a Southerner for the first time. The attempt to take the election of the leadership of this Senate beyond June 13, 2023, must stop,” Mr Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, said during Tuesday’s plenary.

Senator Abdul Ningi’s claim that the administration was carrying out the inflated budget for 2024, which was increased from N25 trillion to N28.7 trillion, was reacted to by Mr. Bamidele.

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Even though members of the Northern Senators Forum disassociated themselves from it, the Ekiti lawmaker accused the Bauchi Central senator of attempting to orchestrate an impeachment plan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom North-west).

The Senate leader accused the northern senator of attempting to use the forum’s name to further his goal, comparing Mr. Ningi’s actions to a botched civilian coup.

He said, “What this was set out to do was tantamount to a failed civilian coup. He wanted to use the platform of the Northern Senators Forum.”

As he noted that more than 60 senators supported Mr. Akpabio, Mr. Bamidele issued a warning that any attempt to seize control of the Senate’s leadership after June 13 will be unsuccessful.

“Over 60 senators voted for Godswill Akpabio, but over 40 voted against Akpabio, the will of the majority. But a few have refused to let the electioneering activities pass them by. They still hold bile, and that is why it is always about Akpabio, never about the Senate, House of Representatives, DG, or Budget.

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“It’s always about Akpabio, never about the Senate. This is a defining moment for us to say if we’re going to have a stable Senate, let us have one. It’s not about north and south; it’s about our rules; it’s about our people who are hungry and deprived.

“Mr President (Akpabio), you are sitting as chair. Make no mistake about it. A few people who felt they would not give you more than one year to spend on this chair want to do everything possible before June 13 to remove you,” the senator said.

Mr. Bamidele said that it had been more than 40 years since a person from the South-South had held the position of Senate President.

“The last time the entire people of the South had the chance to be Senate president was during Obasanjo regime when it went to the South-East.

“Five people (northerners) were elected in quick succession. But as soon as it left the South, we had peace and stability again because we will always cooperate.

“David Mark spent eight years; Senator Ahmed Lawan spent peaceful four years. Saraki even with all he did spent four years, was not impeached. It is about Akpabio, it is about the South. You can now understand why Senator Ningi will want to use the name of the Northern Senators Forum even when most of them did not agree to it,” he stated.

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