‘Are we your slaves?’ — LP senator yells at Akpabio over minority leadership tussle

There was uproar in the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced new minority leadership positions.

Akpabio had named Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, as minority leader; and Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu west, as minority whip.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members replaced Simon Mwadkwon, senator representing Plateau north; and Darlington Nwokocha, senator representing Abia central; respectively.

They were both sacked by the courts.

While Mwadkwon, former minority leader, is a PDP member; Nwokocha of the Labour Party (LP) was the minority whip.

Soon after Akpabio finished making the announcements said to be from the minority caucus, an altercation ensued on the floor of parliament.

LP’s Tony Nwoye, senator representing Anambra north, said it was unfair for the senate president to choose leaders for the minority caucus.

“Are we your slaves? Why would the senate president be picking leaders for us?,” Nwoye yelled at the presiding officer.

“You have done your worst. You have pushed us to the wall. Meaning what? It is unfair. It is not about me, it is about the institution of the senate.

“Every time, you keep on picking leadership (sic) for us. Are we your slaves? The way you were elected is the way we were elected. The highest you can do is suspend me.”

After some senators pacified Nwoye, Akpabio explained that the two minority leaders had shown the signatories of senators who agreed with the decision.

“Minority, put your house in order first,” Akpabio said.

“The senate president can only work with what is before me. You have senator Abaribe and Aliero. Their names are not here.”

Akpabio added that he sympathises with minority parties in the senate.