Akpabio Apologises To Oshiomhole Over ‘Unsenatorial’ Remark, Says Truce Remains

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has apologised to Senator Adams Oshiomhole for describing one of his earlier remarks as “unsenatorial”, saying the disagreement between them has been resolved. 

Akpabio made the apology during plenary on Thursday while referring to an earlier exchange involving the senator representing Edo North.

He said he would no longer characterise Oshiomhole’s comments as unsenatorial, stressing that the matter had been laid to rest.

“I will never refer to your comments as unsenatorial again, especially when you said, ‘Bring the man dead or alive’. The truce between us remains upheld,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President added that he holds Oshiomhole in high regard and reaffirmed the reconciliation between both lawmakers.

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The controversy dates back to June 2026, during a hearing of the Senate Public Accounts Committee investigating alleged financial discrepancies totalling over ₦210 trillion in the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

During the session, Oshiomhole, while supporting a motion to issue a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari for repeatedly failing to appear before the committee, said Kyari should be brought before the Senate “dead or alive”.

The remark drew criticism from within and outside the National Assembly, prompting the Senate to distance itself from both the comment and the committee’s arrest warrant, declaring them null and void.

The Senate’s ongoing investigation centres on approximately ₦210 trillion in unreconciled financial entries identified in NNPCL’s audited accounts covering 2017 to 2023.

According to the Senate Public Accounts Committee, the figure does not represent missing or stolen funds but consists of financial items requiring clarification. The amount comprises about ₦107 trillion recorded as sundry receivables, funds owed to NNPCL by various banks and entities, and roughly ₦103 trillion in accrued expenses, including outstanding corporate liabilities and joint venture cash calls.

The committee first summoned Kyari and members of his former management team in March 2026 as part of the investigation. Following his repeated absence from the hearings, the committee moved to issue an arrest warrant in June.

He has since been formally summoned as the Senate continues its investigation into the national oil company under the leadership of the current Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

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