On Thursday, December 12, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stormed out of the Senate chamber after her motion on the ongoing demolitions in Abuja was blocked by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senator Kingibe had previously informed the Senate about her intent to raise a motion to investigate the demolitions happening across the FCT. The matter was agreed to be discussed the next day. However, when the motion didn’t appear on the order paper, she brought it up during the session.

In response, Akpabio explained that according to Senate rules, only one urgent matter could be discussed per day. He suggested that Kingibe could raise the issue again, but it would need to be scheduled as a formal motion for the next day. Akpabio emphasized the importance of following Senate procedures, which prevent any changes once the day’s agenda has started.

Frustrated by this, Kingibe walked out of the Senate chamber in protest. After a brief period, she returned and apologized for her actions. Following her apology, she was granted the opportunity to present her motion, leading the Senate to resolve to investigate the demolitions in the FCT.

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), under the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has recently stepped up efforts to demolish illegal estates and shanties in Abuja. Wike has defended the demolitions, claiming that these structures pose security risks to the capital city.