There was a commotion in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday following the announcement of Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, as the new Senate Minority Whip.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio named Ngwu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the minority leader, leading to discontent among some Labour Party senators.
Senator Okechukwu Ezea from Enugu North objected to the nomination, a sentiment supported by Senator Tony Nwoye of the Labour Party (LP).
They both challenged the allocation of three slots of the minority leadership to the PDP, leaving the Labour Party without representation in the Senate leadership.
After a heated debate, the Senate President upheld the majority decision that favored the PDP for the Senate Minority Whip position.
Ngwu takes over from Labour Party’s Senator Darlington Nwokwocha, who represented Abia Central district until his removal by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on November 4.
In the same session, Akpabio appointed Abba Moro, the lawmaker representing Benue South, as the new Minority Leader of the Senate, replacing Senator Simon Nwadkwon from Plateau North (PDP), who was ousted by the court on October 23.
Meanwhile, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the designer of the national flag, the late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who passed on August 29, 2023.
The lawmakers, after the motion moved by Sen. Sharafadeen Abiodun representing Oyo South, observed a moment of silence, urging the government to conduct a state burial in his honour for his role in the design of the national flag.
