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Accuses Senate President of Causing Divide in Chamber
- Safiu Kehinde
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of causing divide between lawmakers in the red chamber.
El-Rufai made the allegation during an interview with Trust TV prior to the commencement of the Senate’s emergency plenary session over the controversies surrounding the Electoral Act amendment bill.
Speaking on the call for the reinstatement of the rejected clause seeking mandatory e-transmission of election results, El-Rufai had expressed confidence in the Senate’s conference committee passing the clause.
The ex-Kaduna governor accused Akpabio of being the problem of the Senate, labelling him a scumbag and lapdog of President Bola Tinubu.
“I am confident that the Conference Committee will commence restoration. Now it is up to the Senate. Majority of the Senators also want the same.
“They want Nigeria to move forward. They are distinguished former governors, former ministers, and former representatives. They are distinguished people that want Nigeria to make progress.
“And I think the Senate will overwhelmingly outvote their presiding officer.
“Let’s be clear, it is not the Senate here that is the problem. Akpabio is a scumbag by every definition. He is the problem.
“And Akpabio is nothing but Asiwaju’s lapdog. That is what is going on and the Senators will have to come together and protest.” He said.
When questioned over his choice of words against Akpabio, El-Rufai maintained that he is qualified to label him such.
“I do not consider him distinguished. We’ve known each other since the 90s.
“I think I’m qualified to call him a scumbag and he knows why.” He added.
NPO Reported that the Senate would at the conclusion of its plenary session revert its decision and approve the passage of the e-transmission of election results.
The lawmakers however retained the manual coalition of results for areas where electronic transmission may fail.