There were indeed attempts by some aggrieved lawmakers to impeach Nigeria’s Senate President Godwill Akpabio, according to former Abia State governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the votes of confidence passed on Senator Akpabio on two occasions amid speculation of impeachments, may not be unconnected to the failed attempts in the past one year.
The first was on October 17, 2024, when the Senate passed a formal vote of confidence in Akpabio following media reports alleging that northern senators were plotting to unseat him.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) however rose in stout rebuttal at plenary, denying the involvement of the Northern Senators’ Forum in such plot.
Cautioning against attempts to create division in the chamber, Abdullahi said “I am a senior member of the Northern Senators’ Forum, and I can assure you that there is no attempt by any caucus among the northern senators to bring discord or any attempt to challenge the unity of what you are doing in the Senate”, adding that those pushing such narratives were “undermining the progress of our democracy.”
Again, amid the sexual harassment allegation against Senator Akpabio by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senators, on March 13, 2025, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio after the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion, which was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi.
Confirming what many had suspected to be true despite denials, Senator Kalu said the attempts to remove Akpabio collapsed after key members intervened to preserve unity in the red chamber.
Kalu also dropped the hint that Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo who was re-elected for a second term in office after last Saturday’s governorship election, would soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
Fielding questions from reporters at the National Assembly, Kalu declared assuredly that “it is not going to happen”, describing the Senate as “one big family,” and being so, the chamber would not entertain internal divisions capable of disrupting its leadership or legislative responsibilities.
The former governor said “Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That is why I always say we are one big family, and it is not going to happen”, emphasising that the Senate’s priority remained supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration in addressing the country’s economic difficulties.
Positing that the chamber was focused on passing laws that directly improved citizens’ welfare, Senator Kalu said, “Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are going through.
“We are more interested in the people. The legislation we are making is pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day”.
Amid ongoing political realignment in the country, especially with gale of defections, Kalu said Soludo may soon dump the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the APC, as a progressive like him, President Bola Tinubu and Akpabio.
He said confidently that “I think after all the court cases, he is a progressive like myself, President Tinubu, and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as well as the governors of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and other APC governors.
“So, Soludo is a progressive. I don’t see anything wrong with him joining us. In fact, it is confirmed that he will join the APC. He has no other alternative than to come and join us.”