A dramatic incident unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), walked out in protest after being prevented from presenting a motion on demolitions in Abuja.
The incident occurred during a plenary session, which had been progressing smoothly until Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied Senator Kingibe the opportunity to table her motion. This led to a heated exchange, culminating in her storming out of the chamber.
The situation was eventually de-escalated when several senators, including Asuquo Ekpenyong and Oyelola Ashiru, intervened, urging the Senate President to allow Kingibe to return and present her motion.
After some minutes, Kingibe re-entered the chamber but was instructed by the Senate President to apologise for her actions. Initially resistant, she eventually complied following persistent insistence.
Kingibe later highlighted that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), acting under the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had embarked on a large-scale demolition exercise. She argued that the demolitions targeted allegedly illegal structures and undeveloped plots of land but were carried out without adhering to due legal processes. She further stated that the demolitions had caused significant hardship, with individuals suffering losses amounting to billions of naira.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, immediately backed Kingibe’s call for the FCTA to halt the demolitions.
The Senate granted the motion and established an eight-member committee to engage with the FCT administration regarding the demolition exercise.