Sources have revealed that the impeachment attempt against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was not an organised rebellion but a loose alliance of disenchanted lawmakers, both within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition.
Naija News reports that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Kalu, during an interview with journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, confirmed rumours of a plot to unseat Akpabio.
According to the former Governor of Abia State, the recent attempt to impeach Akpabio was thwarted through the intervention of lawmakers committed to protecting the integrity and stability of the 10th Senate.
Kalu stressed that the upper chamber remains focused on its constitutional duty of lawmaking and oversight, while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.
He said, “Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That is why I always say we are one big family, and it is not going to happen. The Senate is united behind its leadership.
“Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are going through. We are more interested in the people. The legislations we are making are pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day.”
According to Daily Trust, sources familiar with internal discussions said some lawmakers reportedly felt sidelined in committee appointments and accused Akpabio of concentrating power in a small circle of loyalists.
The source added that other lawmakers also complained about insufficient consultation on sensitive issues such as budget appropriation and national security briefings.