Oshiomhole Claims Senators Are Grumbling Over Akpabio’s Leadership Style

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of being overly suspicious of him and suggested that many lawmakers are dissatisfied with the current leadership of the upper legislative chamber.

Speaking during an appearance on Mic On Podcast, Oshiomhole said Akpabio frequently interprets his interactions with fellow senators as political manoeuvring and alleged that the Senate President sees him as a threat.

The former Nigeria Labour Congress president said his contributions to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s election victory should leave no room for doubt about his loyalty to the party.

“Don’t forget that I was a founding governor of the APC and deputy DG of Bola Tinubu Campaign Council that gave us victory. I’m not saying I am responsible for the victory, but I worked for it, and I’m happy we got it.”

According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio remains uncomfortable whenever he engages with some lawmakers.

“He is so paranoid about anything that has to do with me. Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio has his way, he will lock me out of the Senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I am probably the devil he knows. There are many angels he doesn’t know.”

The APC senator argued that discontent over Akpabio’s leadership approach is becoming increasingly noticeable among members of the Senate.

“The 11th Senate will not be like the 10th. It can’t be. Senators are grumbling about his style of leadership.”

While acknowledging the tensions, Oshiomhole said he has attempted to reassure the Senate President that he harbours no personal ambitions beyond effectively representing his constituents.

He also cited a conversation involving Senator Abdulaziz Yari, alleging that Akpabio jokingly linked Yari’s committee preference to an attempt to remove him from office.

Oshiomhole concluded by stressing that the Senate presidency is determined by lawmakers and not by any individual’s personal preference.

“The Senate president is first among equals. Only the persons favoured by the senators are elected.

“It is not about what anybody wishes. It is about who the senators want.”

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