New information has emerged regarding the motivations of certain dissatisfied senators seeking the removal of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to a reliable source, their discontent goes beyond disputes over committee appointments and extends to concerns about Akpabio’s alleged inability to counter what some northern senators refer to as the “Yorubanisation” of the country’s financial system and economy.

In addition to this alleged incapacity, these aggrieved senators also criticize Akpabio for reportedly not addressing the interests of powerful groups, particularly petrol importers and electricity distribution companies, regarding proposed financial arrangements such as a 40% electricity tariff increase and outstanding payments to fuel importers.

Furthermore, some senators opposing Akpabio argue that he has shown favoritism in the distribution of Grade A committees, mainly benefiting his supporters and sidelining those who opposed him during the leadership contest.

While there may be some substance to these allegations, it appears that rivals of the Senate President have regrouped, citing his perceived failure to counter imbalanced appointments in favor of the Yoruba, especially in the financial sector.

This group, which includes former governors from the North and at least one from the South, has publicly presented Senator Elisha Abbo as its representative. Senator Abbo accuses Akpabio of marginalizing rivals and their supporters in committee appointments. However, sources within the Abbo group suggest that their concerns extend beyond the Senate President.

A source within the group expresses concerns about Akpabio’s ability to address what they see as the growing influence of Yoruba leaders in key financial agencies, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Customs, as well as the appointment of Yoruba ministers in the financial sector and blue economy.

The senators are reportedly seeking a Senate President they believe can counter the influence of President Bola Tinubu in these matters.

In addition to these appointments, the group is said to represent certain economic interest groups who feel they were shortchanged after agreements with the President and Akpabio regarding the payment of subsidies to petrol importers.

One such arrangement involved using funds generated from the removal of fuel subsidy to settle petrol importers within two months, but this has not occurred, leading to dissatisfaction among these groups.

Another interest group within the dissident senators allegedly includes some Electricity Distribution companies, who had an agreement with the President and Akpabio for a 40% tariff increase, a proposal that was rejected on the Senate floor by Akpabio.

The source indicates that Northern business interest groups have been significantly affected by the decision not to pay petrol importers.

When contacted, the Special Adviser on Media to the Senate President, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh, affirmed the unity and focus of the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership, dismissing the allegations and stating their commitment to productive legislative activities.