Senate Leadership Tension Deepens as Oshiomhole Clashes With Akpabio Over New Rule

Kingsley Ohens reporting

Fresh tension erupted in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated confrontation over the controversial amendment to the Senate Standing Rules governing eligibility for principal offices.

The disagreement followed the Senate’s decision to amend its rules to restrict eligibility for key leadership positions to lawmakers who have served at least two consecutive terms in the upper chamber. The amendment was widely interpreted as a move that could prevent some senators, including Oshiomhole, from contesting future leadership positions in the National Assembly.

Drama unfolded during plenary when Akpabio began reading the Votes and Proceedings from the previous legislative sitting. Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order, insisting that the controversial amendment required further clarification and proper parliamentary consideration.

Akpabio, however, ruled him out of order, maintaining that Senate rules do not permit interruptions during the consideration of Votes and Proceedings. The Senate President warned against disorderly conduct and stressed that the chamber must strictly adhere to its established parliamentary procedures.

The confrontation lasted several minutes and briefly disrupted proceedings in the Red Chamber, with some lawmakers stepping in to calm tensions. Former Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu was also invited to clarify the procedural interpretation of the Standing Orders.

Political observers believe the amended rule may significantly reshape the contest for Senate leadership ahead of the 11th National Assembly, especially as several high-profile politicians are expected to seek seats in the Senate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a dramatic twist, the Senate later moved to revisit aspects of the controversial amendment following widespread criticism and internal disagreement among lawmakers.