The nomination of senators Abba Moro and Osita Ngwu as Minority Leader and Minority Whip, respectively, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio was met with criticism on Tuesday by senators elected on the platform of the Labour Party, LP.
According to OBSANJO NEWS24, Moro, the senator from Benue South, has taken over as the Senate’s new minority leader.
In a similar vein, Osita Ngwu, the Enugu West senator, was named Minority Whip. Both individuals were chosen based on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) agenda.
Following the dismissal of several members of the upper legislative house by the Appeal Court, nominations were made.
Former Minority Leader Simon Mwadkwon is a PDP member, while the Minority Whip was Darlington Nwokocha of the LP.
Nonetheless, PDP members were chosen as the two legislators to succeed the fired senators.
Senators from the Labour Party were incensed by the development, and soon after Akpabio revealed the new appointments—which, he claimed, originated from the Senate Minority Caucus—they began verbally abusing him.
Tony Nwoye of the LP, who represents Anambra North, stated that it is unjust for the Senate President to select their leaders.
“Are we your property? Nwoye exclaimed at Akpabio, “Why will the Senate President be choosing leaders for us?
“You’ve given it your all. We are at our wits’ end thanks to you. In what sense? It’s not fair. It is about the state’s institution, not about myself.
In response, Akpabio stated he just works with what is on his table and asserted that the Senate Minority Caucus gave him the names.
“Minority, take care of your home first. All that is in front of me is what the Senate President can work with. His words were, “You have Senator Abaribe and Aliero; their names are not here.”
