A tense moment unfolded in the Senate chamber on Thursday as Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), walked out in frustration after being denied the opportunity to present a motion on demolitions in Abuja.

The incident occurred during a plenary session, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio refused to allow Kingibe to raise her motion, prompting a heated exchange and her subsequent exit from the chamber.

The situation was eventually de-escalated after senators, including Asuquo Ekpenyong and Oyelola Ashiru, intervened and persuaded the Senate President to reconsider. Following their appeals, Kingibe returned to the chamber but was asked by Akpabio to apologise for her actions. Initially reluctant, she eventually offered an apology after persistent demands from the Senate President.

During the session, Kingibe raised concerns about the ongoing demolition exercise in the FCT, carried out by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the directive of Minister Nyesom Wike. She claimed that the demolitions targeted alleged illegal structures and undeveloped allocated plots but were not in line with due court processes, leading to severe hardship and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, supported Kingibe’s motion, urging the Senate to direct the FCTA to halt the demolitions.

The Senate granted the motion and established an eight-member committee to engage with the FCT administration on the issue.