Sen. Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate, has explained why he allegedly stormed out of the Red Chamber after an encounter with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Ndume had at plenary on Tuesday invoked a point of order to draw the attention of Akpabio to “procedural infringements” in the chamber but the Senate President did not allow him to complete his speech, prompting his exit from the chamber thereafter.
However, speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume explained that isse was misconstrued, adding that he left because it was time for prayers.
Ndume said: “When Senator Kawu Sumaila proposed a motion which he said was urgent on closing the border between Nigeria and Niger.
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“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.
“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.”