A light-hearted but tense moment unfolded in the Senate on Thursday as Senator Adams Oshiomhole accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of breaking a peace agreement they had reached to stop referring to past controversies involving each other.
The exchange occurred during plenary while lawmakers were considering a motion on the refusal of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) to honour invitations from Senate committees.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, focused on strengthening the Senate’s oversight functions and compelling government agencies to appear before lawmakers when invited
.
Shortly after the debate, Oshiomhole raised a point of order, claiming Akpabio had violated a truce between them by making a remark that reminded lawmakers of a previous controversy involving him.
The comment reportedly referenced a viral video that allegedly showed Oshiomhole massaging the legs of a South African woman aboard a private jet—a video the former Edo State governor has consistently dismissed as fake and artificially generated.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Oshiomhole reminded Akpabio of their agreement to avoid reopening old disputes.
“I want to report to this House that the Senate President and I signed a truce of no more hostilities, and the Senate President breached the truce,” Oshiomhole said.
Amid laughter from fellow senators, he added:
“The truce is signed. You should not violate it. I will not violate it. You are my brother, my leader and my president.”
Oshiomhole, however, said he would not pursue the matter further and announced that he was withdrawing the point of order he intended to raise.
“I hereby drop it. Just to say, sir, protect vertically challenged people in the Senate,” he joked, drawing more laughter from lawmakers.
Akpabio Apologises
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio apologised to Oshiomhole, saying he never intended to offend him.
“Let me first of all apologise to distinguished Senator Oshiomhole. If whatever I said could have in any way injured him or offended him, I apologise,” Akpabio said.
He explained that his comment was made while responding to another senator’s contribution during the debate and was not intended as a personal attack.
Akpabio reaffirmed their agreement to maintain peace.
“Sorry, we have a truce. No more hostilities. Agreement is agreement,” he said.
The Senate President also assured Oshiomhole that he would avoid referring to past controversies in the future and pledged to treat all senators fairly.
Describing Oshiomhole as his friend, brother and former colleague in government, Akpabio said he held him in high regard.
He ended the exchange with a joke that drew laughter across the chamber.
“I will not behave like America and Iran. When they have an agreement today and two days later they will bomb each other,” Akpabio said.
Earlier in the debate, Senator Ogoshi Onawo had urged the Senate to invoke its constitutional powers against government agencies that repeatedly ignore invitations, insisting lawmakers must enforce accountability.
The motion itself focused on strengthening the National Assembly’s oversight role and ensuring officials of MDAs and GOEs comply with legislative summons.
