Akpabio Apologises to Oshiomhole Over ‘Unsenatorial’ Remark, Says Rift Is Over

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has apologised to Senator Adams Oshiomhole over previously describing one of his remarks as "unsenatorial", declaring that the disagreement between both lawmakers has been resolved.

Akpabio offered the apology during Thursday's plenary while referring to an earlier exchange involving the senator representing Edo North.

He said he would no longer characterise Oshiomhole's comments as unsenatorial and reaffirmed that the reconciliation between them remains intact.

"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 also expressed his respect for the former Edo State governor, describing him as a valued colleague and emphasising that there was no lingering disagreement between them.

The exchange traces its origin to June 2026 during a hearing of the Senate Public Accounts Committee investigating alleged financial discrepancies amounting to more than ₦210 trillion in the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

During the proceedings, Oshiomhole supported a motion seeking a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over his repeated failure to honour invitations by the committee.

While making his submission, the Edo North senator said Kyari should be brought before the committee "dead or alive", a remark that immediately generated controversy within and outside the National Assembly.

The statement attracted widespread criticism, prompting the Senate to distance itself from both the comment and the committee's decision to issue an arrest warrant. The upper chamber subsequently declared that the remark and the warrant did not represent the official position of the Senate.

The ongoing investigation by the Senate Public Accounts Committee focuses on approximately ₦210 trillion in unreconciled financial entries contained in NNPCL's audited financial statements covering the period from 2017 to 2023.

According to the committee, the amount does not represent missing or stolen funds but comprises accounting entries requiring detailed clarification.

Lawmakers said the figure includes about ₦107 trillion recorded as sundry receivables owed to NNPCL by financial institutions and other entities, as well as approximately ₦103 trillion in accrued expenses, including outstanding corporate liabilities and joint venture cash call obligations.

The committee first summoned Kyari and members of his former management team in March 2026 as part of the investigation into the company's financial records.

Following his repeated absence from the hearings, the committee resolved in June to seek a warrant for his arrest.

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