Politics

“Are we your slaves? – Labour Party Senators Yell At Senate President, Akpabio Over Minority Portfolios (Video)

Published

5 months ago

November 21, 2023

Senators elected under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), have tackled the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after he named Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, as minority leader, and Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu West, as minority whip..

It was learnt that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members replaced Simon Mwadkwon, senator representing Plateau north; and Darlington Nwokocha, senator representing Abia Central; respectively.

They were both sacked by the court.
While Mwadkwon, former minority leader, is a PDP member; Nwokocha of the Labour Party (LP) was the minority whip.

An altercation broke out on the floor of parliament shortly after Akpabio finished reading the announcements purportedly from the minority caucus.
Senator Tony Nwoye of the LP, who represents Anambra North, said it was unjust for the Senate President to choose leaders for them.

“Are we your slaves? Why will the senate president be picking leaders for us?,” Nwoye was quoted by TheCable while yelling at the presiding officer.

“You have done your worst. You have pushed us to the wall. Meaning what? It is unfair. It is not about me, it is about the institution of the state.”

After some senators pacified Nwoye, Akpabio explained that the two minority leaders had shown the signatories of the senators who agreed with the decision.

“Minority put your house in order first,” he said.

“The senate president can only work with what is before me. You have Senator Abaribe and Aliero, their names are not here.”

Akpabio further expressed his sympathy with minority parties in the Senate