The Office of the Senate Leader has strongly refuted claims of an altercation between the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as alleged in a post by Jackson Ude on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the report was dismissed as a fabrication by a known purveyor of falsehoods, accusing Ude of abandoning journalistic ethics in favor of baseless rumors aimed at creating discord within the Senate.

The allegations suggested that Senators Akpabio and Bamidele were involved in a physical confrontation on Tuesday in the Senate Cafeteria, purportedly stemming from leadership disputes and alleged marginalization of the South West in key committee appointments.

However, the Senate Leader’s Office categorically denied any such incident, providing evidence to counter the claims.

The Senate Leader’s Office reaffirmed Senator Bamidele’s unblemished record of non-violence throughout his political career, including his tenure as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The statement explained that shortly after the alleged incident, Senators Akpabio and Bamidele, alongside other principal officers, jointly hosted the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. YU Dunhai, and his delegation. Photographs from this meeting, widely published in national newspapers, were cited as proof of their cordial relationship.

Explaining further the statement indicated that both Senators reportedly left the National Assembly premises together in the same vehicle, further underscoring the lack of animosity between them.

The statement quoted Senator Bamidele to have warned against defamatory publications, emphasizing his readiness to invoke the Cybercrime Act of 2015 and other legal measures to protect his reputation and office.

The Senate Leader’s Office urged the public to disregard the misinformation, describing it as a calculated attempt to destabilize the Senate and disrupt national politics.

The statement reiterated Senator Bamidele’s commitment to his duties and called for respect for the integrity of the Senate as an institution.

A public hearing at the National Assembly on the proposed Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria Establishment Bill on Wednesday revealed sharp divisions among stakeholders in the advertising industry.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, is aimed to establish a regulatory body to oversee, promote, and professionalize the out-of-home (OOH) media sector, which includes billboards, digital displays, and transit advertising.

While some stakeholders, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OOAN), supported the bill, others, like the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), opposed it.
Speaking at the hearing, Abaribe outlined the bill’s objectives, which include standardizing the OOH sector, addressing safety and environmental concerns, and fostering innovation.

“This bill aims to ensure that the practice of owning and managing OOH assets is elevated to a standard that promotes quality, uniformity, and environmental aesthetics,” Abaribe said.

He highlighted the challenges in the industry, such as lack of regulation, inconsistent practices, and environmental degradation caused by unregulated billboard installations. The proposed body would enforce standards, ensure public safety, and enhance the aesthetics of Nigeria’s urban and rural landscapes.

The Ministry of Information, represented by a director overseeing the office of the permanent secretary, opposed the creation of a new agency, arguing that it would place unnecessary pressure on governance.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council also criticized the bill, stating that existing units are already performing the functions proposed for the new body.

ARCON’s Director General, Olalekan Fadolapo, warned that creating another agency would contradict the Steve Oronsaye panel’s report, which recommends streamlining government agencies to reduce redundancy.
COREN’s representative, Dipo Mabogaje, argued in favor of the bill, noting that while ARCON regulates advertising content, a dedicated body should regulate the structural integrity and environmental impact of billboards.

Similarly, the Presidents of ADVAN, Osamede Uwubanmwen, and the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Lanre Adisa, expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the need for improved industry standards and professionalism.
The Senate Committees on Establishment, Information, and Media will review the input from stakeholders before making recommendations on the bill. While supporters believe the legislation will address pressing issues in the OOH sector, critics argue that it could lead to redundancy and inefficiencies in governance.

The debate underscored the complexities of balancing industry growth with regulatory efficiency in Nigeria’s evolving advertising landscape.

The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, activated Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to remove the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, from office.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), during plenary.
The motion titled “Invocation of Provision of Section 157(1) of the Constitution for Removal of the Chairman of the CCT” was unanimously supported by the Senate.
Senator Bamidele, while presenting the motion, emphasized the sacred role of the CCT in maintaining high moral standards in government business and ensuring public officials adhere to principles of accountability and integrity.
He argued that the conduct of Danladi Umar fell short of these expectations.

Key allegations against the embattled Chairman according to the Senate leader included Corruption and Misconduct with Multiple petitions alleging corruption and misappropriation of funds.
Bamidele explained that there were Reports of Mr. Umar being absent from office for over a month without official permission.
He was also accused of refusal to Cooperate with Senate Investigations.
“Umar only appeared once before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions and avoided subsequent invitations.

He was also accused of engaging a physical altercation with a security guard in the Federal Capital Territory, an incident described as unbecoming of a public servant.
The Senate Leader noted that these actions, coupled with ongoing investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS, constituted gross misconduct and negligence.

Senator Bamidele recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate as the new CCT Chairman.
Bello’s appointment was confirmed on July 4, 2024.
The Senate’s resolution to remove Umar was aimed at allowing Bello to assume his role without further delay.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), disclosed that 84 senators endorsed the resolution to remove Umar, fulfilling the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), confirmed that all necessary legal processes were adhered to.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, emphasized that Danladi Umar was given ample opportunities to defend himself but failed to do so. Akpabio also criticized Umar’s public altercation with a woman at a plaza, describing it as a disgraceful act for a public officer.

Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Ben Akabueze, to communicate the Senate’s resolution to President Bola Tinubu for immediate action.

With the resolution, Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello is expected to officially assume duties as the new Chairman of the CCT.
The Senate’s decision underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring institutional accountability, and maintaining the integrity of federal institutions in Nigeria.