Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio harbours a deep-seated bias against him, claiming the Senate leader is uncomfortable with his presence and influence within the Red Chamber.
Speaking on the Sunday edition of MIC ON PODCAST, the former Edo State governor said Akpabio's attitude towards him is well known among senators. Oshiomhole argued that despite his contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his role as Deputy Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign council, the Senate President continues to view him with suspicion.
“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate,” Oshiomhole said. He added that Akpabio had convinced himself that he was a political threat, describing the Senate President as “paranoid” whenever issues involving him arise.
The lawmaker also predicted that the next Senate leadership structure would not mirror the current arrangement, citing what he described as growing dissatisfaction among senators. According to him, several lawmakers have privately expressed concerns about Akpabio’s leadership style, although efforts are being made to maintain unity within the chamber.
Oshiomhole further claimed that Akpabio becomes uneasy whenever he interacts with certain senators. He recalled an alleged conversation involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, in which the Senate President reportedly questioned Yari’s request to become Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, suggesting it was part of a plan to challenge his leadership. Oshiomhole said he dismissed the remark as amusing.
His comments come amid heightened tensions in the Senate following controversy over his recent criticism of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The Senate recently distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s description of the company as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” stressing that the remarks reflected his personal opinion.
Elijah Adeyemi
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