Crisis In The Senate: Tensions Flare As NDLEA Clash Forces Emergency Closed-Door Meeting

Crisis In The Senate: Tensions Flare As NDLEA Clash Forces Emergency Closed-Door Meeting

The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, is currently engaged in a closed-door session following a privilege motion raised by Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru. Ashiru presented an urgent motion of national importance on Tuesday, citing Orders 9, 10, 41, and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules.…..CONTINUE READING 

Ashiru stated, “Order 9 pertains to the privileges and rights enjoyed collectively by the Senate and individually by its members, which are derived from our legislative powers. Any matter of privilege that arises must be addressed promptly. If the standing orders do not adequately address a situation, our resolutions will guide the procedure.”

He further explained, “Order 10 allows any senator to raise a matter of privilege at any time and move, without prior notice, a motion declaring that a breach of privilege has occurred, which can then be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”

Before Ashiru could elaborate, Akpabio intervened, allowing Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to propose a motion for an executive session.

“Before we proceed, I need to seek consent from the senators. However, the Senate Leader has an announcement,” Akpabio noted.

Bamidele then stated, “Mr. President and colleagues, I respectfully request that the Senate move into a closed-door session for discussions before reconvening for plenary. I so move.”

This motion was seconded by Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, who added, “Mr. President, I rise to support the motion for the Senate to enter an executive session to discuss certain information.”

In response, Akpabio said, “Distinguished colleagues, a motion has been moved and seconded for this assembly to resolve into a closed session to address matters of national importance.”

Although Ashiru did not explicitly detail the privilege issue, it is noted that there has been a recent altercation between him and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Last week, during discussions on the Bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, Ashiru criticized the NDLEA, calling it “the most corrupt and compromised agency.”

The NDLEA, represented by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, responded by claiming that Ashiru’s remarks stemmed from a personal vendetta rather than genuine national concern.

Babafemi alleged that Ashiru made the derogatory comments after being unable to prevent the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in drug-related activities at his residence in Kwara a few years ago.

In a statement on Monday evening, Ashiru’s Special Assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, urged the NDLEA to take legal action against anyone found engaging in illegal drug activities.

“The NDLEA claims to have discovered drugs in Senator Ashiru’s Ilorin residence, but there is no information regarding any court proceedings against the alleged culprits. Senator Ashiru has been vocal about the NDLEA’s corruption, which may explain these allegations against him. He did not send any aide to influence the dropping of drug allegations against Tosin Odepidian, and the names mentioned by the agency are unknown to him,” the statement read.