Akpabio Apologizes To Oshiomhole Over Viral Woman Video

According to Ireporter Online, a mild confrontation unfolded during Thursday’s Senate plenary after Senator Adams Oshiomhole accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of violating a mutual agreement to refrain from revisiting past disagreements between them.

The incident occurred during deliberations on a motion addressing the persistent refusal of several Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to honour invitations from the Senate Committee on Finance. The motion, sponsored by the committee’s chairman, Senator Sani Musa, highlighted concerns over the growing disregard for legislative oversight by some government institutions.

Following the debate, Oshiomhole raised a point of order, expressing dissatisfaction with a comment made by Akpabio, which he said referenced an earlier controversy involving a viral video that allegedly showed him massaging the legs of a South African woman aboard a private jet. The former Edo State governor had previously dismissed the video as digitally manipulated.

Addressing the chamber, Oshiomhole reminded lawmakers that he and Akpabio had earlier agreed to put an end to public references to their previous disagreements. He stated that the Senate President had breached that understanding by revisiting the issue but stressed that he would not escalate the matter. He reaffirmed his respect for Akpabio, describing him as a brother, leader and Senate President, before withdrawing his point of order and humorously appealing for protection of “vertically challenged” senators, a remark that drew laughter from lawmakers.

Responding, Akpabio offered an apology, saying he had no intention of offending Oshiomhole. He explained that his remarks were made while responding to Senator Ogoshi Onawo, who had referenced an earlier Senate debate concerning the withdrawal of a proposed warrant of arrest.

The Senate President acknowledged the peace pact between them, assuring the chamber that he would honour the agreement and avoid revisiting previous disagreements. He also pledged that the leadership of the Senate would continue to protect every senator and treat all members fairly.

Akpabio praised Oshiomhole as a respected colleague, friend and fellow former governor, reiterating that he held him in high regard. He later sparked laughter in the chamber after joking that he would not emulate countries that enter into agreements only to violate them shortly afterward.

Earlier during the session, Senator Ogoshi Onawo urged the Senate to invoke its constitutional authority against heads of agencies who repeatedly ignore legislative invitations. Citing Section 89(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, he noted that the National Assembly possesses the power to compel the attendance of individuals who refuse to honour summons after due notice.

Onawo, however, recommended that defaulting agencies should first receive formal communication from the Senate before stronger constitutional measures are applied.

Akpabio also warned that the upper chamber could no longer tolerate repeated acts of defiance by government officials. He stated that if any agency head failed to appear before a Senate committee after being summoned, the Senate could invite the individual before the full chamber and, if necessary, exercise its constitutional powers to compel attendance.

Onawo further called for consistency in enforcing legislative authority, citing the recent failure of officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to appear before the Senate Committee on Sports as an example of increasing disregard for parliamentary invitations.