There was a moment of tension at the Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio publicly reprimanded Senator Adams Oshiomhole for exceeding his role while seconding a motion during plenary.
The exchange occurred after Oshiomhole, who was expected to simply second the motion, began making additional remarks. Akpabio immediately interrupted him, insisting that he was going beyond the procedural limits of his assignment.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry. Your time is up because your job is the seconder. Your job is not to review. You’ve been here for three years and you still don’t read the rules,” Akpabio said during the session.
The Senate President explained that a senator assigned to second a motion is expected only to indicate support for it, adding that any further contributions should be made at the appropriate stage of debate under additional prayers.
“It is important for you to set a good example as somebody who has been a senator for three years. You have seconded; you have seconded,” Akpabio added.
The brief exchange drew attention in the chamber before proceedings resumed with the Senate continuing deliberations on the motion.
