The exchange occurred while Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, representing Kogi East, was moving a motion in honour of Idris, who died in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2026, aged 77.
Echocho referred to Akpabio as a former PDP member, prompting the Senate President to clarify his association with the party before eventually defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
Akpabio acknowledged that he was a member of the PDP but said he had not been emotionally committed to the party.
Akpabio’s political career was largely built under the PDP. He served as a commissioner in Akwa Ibom State before becoming the state’s governor on the party’s platform in 2007.
He spent eight years as governor and moved to the Senate in 2015, representing Akwa Ibom North-West on the PDP platform. He subsequently became Senate Minority Leader, emerging as one of the prominent opposition figures in the National Assembly.
In 2018, Akpabio defected from the PDP to the APC, ending years of association with the party under which he had governed Akwa Ibom and built his political base.
He was appointed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and resigned from the Federal Executive Council in 2022 to pursue his political ambitions.
Akpabio returned to the Senate in 2023 and was subsequently elected President of the 10th Senate.
The exchange came during the Senate’s consideration of a motion to honour Idris and condole with his family.
Senators recalled the former Kogi governor’s political career, infrastructure projects and extensive business interests.
Former Edo State Governor and ex-Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, shared personal recollections of his dealings with Idris during negotiations on workers’ welfare and minimum wage.
Oshiomhole recalled Idris’ position on workers’ salaries, while another senator highlighted the late governor’s links to Sokoto State, where he established a furniture factory and a hotel as part of his business activities.
Echocho’s motion sought the Senate’s recognition of Idris’ contributions and condolences to his family following his death.
After the tributes, the Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the former governor and resolved to send a delegation to his family.
Idris served as governor of Kogi State from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2003 to 2012, with senators recalling his contributions to the development of the state during his tenure.
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