I walked Out To Pray, Not To Disrespect Akpabio – Senator Ndume

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Trump slams Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund over Caterpillar divestment

By Obinna Uballa The United States has slammed the decision by Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world with assets worth about $2 trillion, to sell its stake in United States machinery giant Caterpillar, describing the move as troubling and based on “illegitimate claims.” In recent weeks, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which…

Reaction as Police Invite El-Rufai, ADC Leaders Over Allegations against State government in Kaduna

By Abiola Olawale The Kaduna State Police Command has invited former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and seven other members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for questioning. The invitation, issued on September 4, 2025, cited allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt. According to a letter signed…

Enugu tragic accidents: Dangote warns against unauthorised use of logo

• Denies involvement in Edo, Enugu accidents By Obinna Uballa Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has renewed its warning to truck operators against the unauthorised use of its logo on vehicles not affiliated with the company, following two fatal crashes involving Dangote-branded trucks along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway on Wednesday. The company stressed that despite repeated…

Ad

By Ayo Yusuf

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has explained that contrary to reports that he walked out on Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, he had only left the chambers to go and say his prayers.

News reports had shown Senator Ndume storming out of the chamber after an encounter with Senate President Akpabio, on Tuesday.

At the plenary, the Borno senator had sought the Senate’s attention over what he felt were contraventions of the Senate rule by invoking a point of order to call attention to “procedural infringements” in the chamber.

When Senator Akpabio did not allow him to complete his argument, the Chief Whip walked out of the chamber thus raising questions about his relationship with the Senate President.

During an interview with the BBC Hausa Service however, Senator Ndume said he had not walked out because he was angry with the Senate President over his inability to contribute to a debate on the closing of Nigeria’s borders.

He explained that the situation resulted “when Senator Kawu Sumaila proposed a motion which he said was of urgent national importance on the closure of the border between Nigeria and Niger.

“At first, it was argued that the motion was not urgent, but the president of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say.

“After hearing the motion, it was agreed that since it is related to security, it should be suspended.”

Senator Ndume said that he wanted to explain the significance of the motion to the chamber, but the Senate President denied him the opportunity to speak.

According to him, “I would like to clarify that the motion, although impactful, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Senate.

“The closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria, but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS. As such, he has the authority to advocate on our behalf.

“In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.

“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure.

“Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit.”

Ad

X whatsapp