The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has explained why he exited the Red Chamber after clashing with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday’s plenary session.
Ndume gave the explanation during an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
He said, “When Senator Kawu Sumaila proposed a motion which he said was urgent on closing the border between Nigeria and Niger, it was first argued that the motion was not urgent.
“But the President of the Senate let him finish what he wanted to say. After hearing the motion, it was agreed that since it is related to security, it should be suspended.”
The Borno South senator explained that it was at that point he wanted to explain the importance of the motion to the Red Chamber, but was denied the opportunity.
“I would like to clarify that the motion, although impactful, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Senate.
“The closure of the border was not initiated by the President of Nigeria but rather during his tenure as President of ECOWAS. As such, he has the authority to advocate on our behalf.
“In order to address this matter, it is imperative to involve the President of our nation, but I was not afforded the opportunity to convey this message.
“While this was happening, it coincided with the time of prayer, prompting my departure. Consequently, my colleagues misconstrued my exit, and the journalists changed the meaning of my exit,” he said.
Ndume added that he told another senator that he was going to pray and then he left.
