Proceedings in the Senate on Wednesday were briefly disrupted following a tense exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the interpretation of the chamber’s amended standing rules.
The disagreement, which lasted for more than 15 minutes, began when Akpabio commenced the reading of Tuesday’s Votes and Proceedings. Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) attempted to raise a point of order, prompting the Senate President to remind him that such interventions are not entertained during that stage, in line with the 2023 Standing Orders as amended.
Despite the clarification, Oshiomhole persisted. Akpabio then invited former Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), to weigh in.
Kalu supported the Senate President’s position, reiterating that a point of order was not permissible at that point in the proceedings.
The situation escalated further as Oshiomhole continued to insist. The current Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), intervened, warning that he would be compelled to exercise his authority if the disruption continued, and urged Oshiomhole to comply with the rules.
Akpabio proceeded with the session, referencing pages 194 and 195, but Oshiomhole remained vocal, stressing the need for all senators to be familiar with the rules and citing Order 20.
Responding, Akpabio remarked, “We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules.”
He further cautioned Oshiomhole against continued disruption, stating, “Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” he said.
Order was eventually restored, and the Senate concluded the exercise with Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) moving a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
The confrontation is believed to be linked to the Senate’s decision on Tuesday to amend its standing rules ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The revision seeks to restrict eligibility for the office of Senate President and other principal positions to lawmakers who have served in both the 9th and 10th Assemblies.
Under the new provisions, only senators who have completed at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination will qualify to contest for leadership roles in the 11th National Assembly.
This effectively excludes prospective senators who were not part of the current and previous assemblies.
The Senate reached the decision after a closed-door session that lasted about three hours, during which Orders 4 and 5 were amended to reinforce the principle of ranking in leadership selection.
According to the revised Order 4: “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
“The order of ranking are (i) Former President of the Senate , (ii) Former Deputy President of the Senate , ( iii) Former Principal Officers of the Senate , ( iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years , ( v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives , ( vi) In the absence of i to v, Senators elected into the Senate for the first time ” .
Additionally, Order 5 stipulates: “Any Senator shall not be eligible to contest for any Principal Office of the Senate unless he has served as a Senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination”.
The implication of the amendment is that only members of the current 10th Assembly who secure re-election into the 11th Senate will be eligible to vie for top leadership positions, including Senate President and Deputy Senate President, as well as other principal offices such as Senate Leader, Chief Whip, and Minority Leader.