ABUJA — Emotions arising from the political standoff in Rivers State overflowed for the second day in the National Assembly, yesterday, as senators on opposite sides nearly exchanged blows over the matter.
The development came as the Senate summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to appear before it to explain what he knows about the political crisis rocking the state. It did not, however, give a specific date for the IGP’s appearance.
Also, yesterday, Senator Magnus Abe who was recently shot during an aborted rally in Rivers State, wrote the Senate, alleging that the plot to kill him came from the highest authorities.
At the centre of the drama in the Senate were Senators James Manager (PDP, Delta South), and Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) who disagreed over approaches to developments in Rivers.
The stand-off between both men which quickly degenerated, involved senators from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC. Shortly after the uproar, the legislators were seen backslapping and hugging.
Following the Senate session, Senator Manager told Vanguard that it was a “a quick parliamentary flash.”
The development in the Senate followed Tuesday’s more emotive showdown in the House of Representatives when PDP and APC members held down proceedings following the depiction of the PDP deputy leader, Rep. Leo Ogor as the deputy minority leader by the APC leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
How it started
The standoff in the Senate arose during the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Wilson Ake, PDP, Rivers on the political crisis in Rivers State.
Senator Ake’s presentation of his motion was interrupted by Senator Manager through a point of order in the course of which he informed the chamber that the Senate had dispatched a delegation to visit Senator Magnus
Abe who was allegedly shot during a rally in troubled Rivers State.
As he spoke, a spat reportedly broke out between him and Senator Lawan over side comments between the two.
Senator Lawan was sufficiently provoked by the side comment to walk down to where Senator Manager was sitting to engage him physically.
As Senator Lawan walked towards Manager, he was followed by a number of APC senators who had become highly emotional on the Rivers issue, but they were matched by almost an equal number of PDP senators who formed a human barricade around Senator Manager. Meanwhile, some senators from both parties were at the same time seen restraining Senator Lawan.
Some APC senators led by Senator Alkali Jajere, APC, Yobe South, were seen shouting on Manager, “apologise to him immediately, apologise immediately, apologise now”.
Senators Chris Ngige, APC, Anambra Central and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume led by other senators from both parties, however, were able to calm the situation and bring about a reconciliation between the two men. Following the intervention, Senator Manager walked up to Senator Lawan’s seat and shook hands with him after which the latter stood up to embrace him.
Not satisfied with the reconciliatory move, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark asked the two senators to embrace each other as a sign of reconciliation which they both did.
It’s regrettable — Mark
Mark regretted the development, saying the conduct of the senators did not promote the spirit of dialogue which they have been preaching for.
“At this stage we would dialogue, dialogue, dialogue and then we want to fight. The paradox is inexplicable. The contradiction is unacceptable.
But I accept that tempers rose just now and I hope it doesn’t rise again from anybody,” Mark warned.
Senator Manager had made the ‘offensive’ remark that caught the attention of Lawan, after he was asked by the Senate President to speak on a point of order he raised upon Order 14, seeking to stop debate on the motion, on the grounds that the Senate had mandated its committee on Police Affairs to investigate the shooting of Senator Abe.
