Drama As Senators Block Gbajabiamila, Governors, Ministers From Entering Chambers

A mild drama unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers initially rejected a move by the Senate leadership to admit governors and senior government officials into the chamber to observe proceedings on the State Police Bill.

Naija News understands that the visitors included the governors of Ogun, Ondo and Kaduna states, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Uba Sani, respectively.

Also in the delegation were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The officials had sought access to the chamber to observe deliberations and voting on the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation.

Other members of the delegation included Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice from Ondo, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

At the commencement of proceedings, Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed to senators to allow the visitors, whom he described as “strangers,” into the chamber.

Following Akpabio’s appeal, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion invoking Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Rules, which permits non-members to be admitted into the chamber under special circumstances.

However, when the motion was put to a voice vote, senators overwhelmingly rejected it.

The rejection appeared to surprise the Senate leadership, prompting Akpabio to make another appeal to his colleagues to accommodate the visitors.

Akpabio subsequently directed Bamidele to reintroduce the motion, which was seconded by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

When the motion was again put to a voice vote, Akpabio called only for the “Ayes,” which were noticeably fewer than the senators present in the chamber.

As dissenting voices grew louder, the Senate President did not call for the “Nays,” which appeared to be in the majority.

He swiftly ruled in favour of the motion and brought down the gavel.

The decision allowed the governors, ministers and other officials waiting outside the chamber to enter and observe proceedings on the State Police Bill.

The incident briefly exposed growing tension between some governors and senators representing their states.

Some senators were said to be displeased with governors who allegedly used their political influence to deny them re-election tickets ahead of the 2027 general election.

The State Police Bill remains one of the major constitutional amendment proposals before the National Assembly amid worsening insecurity across the country.