Chukwu David 
The Senate, on Thursday, passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, just as it dismissed the rumours in social media on the alleged plan by the Northern Caucus to change the leadership.
The apex legislative Assembly took the decision following a motion by former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, saying that the rumours of impeachment of the President of the Senate were coming from paid agents bent on causing confusion in the polity.
Akpabio had while reacting to an online publication on the alleged plan to remove him from office, said that there was no end to the manipulation of the social media by people with ulterior motives describing the such reports as fake and should be disregarded.
The confidence vote, which was passed, came barely 24 hours after Wednesday’s news report by some media platforms that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took over the National Assembly to prevent a plan to impeach Akpabio.
Meanwhile, Akpabio had debunked the allegations of impeachment plots against him, describing the news as fake and orchestrated mischief by his enemies and enemies of the polity.
Also, reacting to these reports shortly after the day’s plenary, the Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti south) debunked the news, describing it as “ill-will, untraceable and from the gate of hell.”
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado (PDP, Kano Central) in a reaction on Wednesday, spoke of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to encourage a harmonious working relationship between the legislature and the executive.
Raising the matter on the floor on Thursday’s plenary, a former Leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North) drew the attention of his colleagues to a publication which claimed that Northern Senators were behind the impeachment plot against Akpabio.
Abdullahi claimed that such an allegation was a breach of his constitutional right as a citizen and lawmaker, saying that the allegation that Northern Senators were plotting Akpabio’s removal had put a dent in his reputation and integrity.
“This is about the fake news that was circulating yesterday about an alleged attempt by Northern Senators to take your leadership. I consider this statement as a disguised attempt to create a very serious division in this institution.
“I am a senior member of this chamber and member of the Northern Senators Forum, I can tell you that there is no attempt that I know of by a caucus or any group among the northern senators,” he said.
Senator Abdullahi said he had never conceived such ideas, adding that he had consulted his colleagues from the North and they expressed shock and disbelief about such a report.
On his part, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) said he saw no reason as to why such news would emanate on social media, stressing that there was no form of disunity among the Senators.
“I was taken aback as to why and from my little exploration of that so-called fake news, there was an intention by some people outside this chamber according to my source to make sure that they bring a coalition between yourself and the northern Senators.
“In spite of everything people could see that we have been able to relate with you, particularly you and the Deputy Senate President,” he said.
Ningi thereafter, moved a motion that the Senate pass a vote of confidence in Akpabio, which was put to voice vote and supported by all Senators present in the Chamber.
In his remarks, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed gratitude for the support from his colleagues and assured them of his intention to continue to provide good leadership.
