A tumultuous scene unfolded during the Senate’s return to plenary on Tuesday, marked by a heated altercation among senators over seating arrangements in the recently refurbished chamber.

Commencing around 11 am, the plenary commenced with the customary procession, followed by Senate President GodsWill Akpabio’s announcements, including recognition of lawmakers whose birthdays occurred during the recess.

Tensions escalated when Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) engaged in a vocal exchange with Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), with finger-pointing gestures exchanged between the two.

Subsequently, Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined Yau in confronting Bamidele and Senate Services chairman Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) regarding the seating arrangements.

Reports indicate that the dispute stemmed from discontent among senior senators regarding their seating positions, particularly those allocated seats in the front row on the far right side of the aisle.

In an attempt to restore order, the Senate President called for senators to address their grievances individually, yet Yau refused to comply, prolonging the tumultuous session for approximately 20 minutes.

Following the Senate President’s address, the Senate leader proposed a resolution to convene a closed-door session, which was subsequently approved.

At approximately 12:05 pm, the Senate transitioned into an executive session.

The Senate had adjourned plenary on March 20 until April 16, with resumption postponed twice to accommodate the completion of renovations on the chamber, which had been ongoing since 2022.

The resumption of Senate proceedings on Tuesday was marked by a heated confrontation as senators engaged in a row over seating arrangements.

The session, which began at 11 am, saw Senate President GodsWill Akpabio kick off with routine announcements, including recognition of birthdays celebrated by lawmakers during the break.

However, the atmosphere turned tense when Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) raised his voice at Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), sparking a fiery exchange.

Joining Yau, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) directed shouts at Bamidele and Senate Services chairman Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), who was overseeing seating arrangements.

Ranking Senators reportedly expressed frustration over their seating assignments in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.

Despite Senate President’s suggestion for them to approach the chair individually, Senator Yau declined.

The tumultuous session continued for approximately 20 minutes as senators exchanged heated remarks.

Following the Senate President’s welcome-back address, the Senate leader proposed transitioning to a closed-door session.

Subsequently, at approximately 12:05 pm, the Senate convened for an executive session.

Plenary, which was initially adjourned on March 20 until April 16, was postponed twice to accommodate the ongoing renovations of the chamber since 2022.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has issued a stern warning, indicating a potential halt in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) due to unpaid bridging claims amounting to ₦200 billion.

This announcement follows a nationwide fuel scarcity, causing pump prices to surge between N610 and N800, while black market rates reach as high as N1000 to N1200.

Mazi Oliver Okolo, the spokesperson for IPMAN’s Aba Depot Unit, emphasizes that this action is supported by the association’s national leadership, citing outstanding debts owed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA).

Following a press conference on Tuesday, Okolo, in a communique, revealed that despite a directive from Petroleum Minister (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri for payment, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA) has neglected to settle the ₦200 billion debt.

The IPMAN depot Chairman lamented that since the minister’s directive in February 2024, only ₦13 billion had been disbursed to their members, resulting in severe business disruption due to the outstanding claims.

He said “We are extremely distressed and depressed by the laidback attitude of the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), towards the survival of our member’s businesses, arising from NMDPRA’s deliberate delay and refusal to offset the debt of over N200 Billion owed our members, which has consequently led to the deaths of many of our members and the unfortunate collapse of their businesses.”

Blaming the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the exclusive importer of petroleum products, for the ongoing nationwide petrol scarcity, he highlighted that some IPMAN members have ceased operations entirely, leading to employee layoffs.

The statement reads “We have watched with apprehension also, the unpatriotic attitude of the leadership of the NMDPRA to offset this debt that has been accrued to us since September 2022. As businessmen and women, our members acquired bank loans to keep their fuel retail outlets running daily across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, to serve the teeming population of Nigerians.

“However, it is demoralising to know that many of our members have gone bankrupt and have become financially insolvent as a result of their inability to meet their financial
obligations to their banks, arising wholly from their inability to get their monies from the NMDPRA.

“Consequently, also, the banks have taken over the business premises of many of our members. As indigenous organisations, and Depot Chairmen, we are unhappy that rather than receive support from the government to boost our businesses, we are being discouraged, by the head
of NMDPRA.

“It is noteworthy to recall and state here that at a stakeholders meeting held on the 20th of February, 2024 with Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), and the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Authority of NMDPRA, was mandated by Mr. Heinehken
Lokpobiri to clear the entire debt in 40 days.

“However today, we have crossed the 40 days time-lapse given to the NMDPRA to clear the debt, and it is shameful to state that only the paltry sum of N13Billion has been paid, thus going the whole length to ignore our plight without remorse and without recourse to the Honourable Minister’s directive.

Okolo also alleged that NNPC Ltd imports the products and supplies them to private depots at inflated prices ranging from ₦820 to ₦950 per litre.

He further stated that IPMAN members incur an additional ₦2 million in transportation costs to distribute the fuel to other parts of the country, making it challenging to sell at the agreed pump price.

IPMAN members are urging President Bola Tinubu to urgently address this issue, which they argue severely affects their businesses and will subsequently impact the masses negatively.

The group said “We see no reason why there should be an increment of over 500% on the Sales and Storage License by the NMDPRA. We totally reject it.

“We also hereby call on the federal government of Nigeria to wholly intervene forthwith in these lingering issues between the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

“We are poised to take far-reaching decisions that may cripple the supply and sales of petroleum products across Nigeria, if our demands are not met within the shortest period.”