Senate Bows to Pressure, Reverses Controversial Rule Amendment Amid Oshiomhole’s Attack on Akpabio

The Senate, yesterday, reversed aspects of the controversial amendments made to its Standing Orders 2026 following growing concerns over alleged constitutional inconsistencies and mounting criticism from lawmakers.

The decision came barely days after the upper chamber amended key provisions regulating eligibility for principal offices, a move that had generated heated debate within political circles and the National Assembly.

However, the development triggered fresh tension on the Senate floor as former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, openly faulted the process that produced the amendments and called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to vacate office.

The disputed amendments had introduced stricter conditions for senators seeking principal offices, including a requirement that contenders must have served at least two consecutive terms in the Senate before becoming eligible.

Political observers had linked the changes to ongoing permutations ahead of the 2027 political transition, as several outgoing governors and influential politicians are reportedly positioning themselves for Senate seats and possible leadership contests in the 11th National Assembly.

Leading debate on the motion to rescind the amendments during plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that a further constitutional review revealed possible conflicts between the amended provisions and Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the Senate possesses the authority to revisit previous decisions in order to protect the integrity of its legislative framework and prevent constitutional disputes.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, described the reversal as necessary to ensure that Senate procedures remain in line with constitutional provisions.

But Oshiomhole sharply criticized the earlier amendment process, accusing the leadership of rushing the rules to favour certain political interests.

“The way we rushed the rules because certain people wanted certain things concluded is one flaw in this process,” he said during plenary.

The former Nigeria Labour Congress president further argued that the new eligibility conditions created what he described as a “moral crisis,” insisting that Akpabio himself would not qualify under the same rules being promoted.

According to Oshiomhole, “If we insist that anyone seeking to become Senate President must serve two consecutive terms, then those already occupying such offices should also be subjected to the same standard.”

He also warned against altering long-standing parliamentary traditions for political convenience, recalling how former Senate President David Mark emerged and remained in office under previous rules without such restrictions.

The exchange sparked renewed tension in the chamber, prompting Bamidele to caution lawmakers against reopening matters already decided upon without following proper parliamentary procedure.

Meanwhile, the Senate dismissed reports suggesting that the Presidency pressured lawmakers into reversing the amendments.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Adeniyi Adegbomire, clarified that the decision was purely an internal legislative matter aimed at correcting procedural and constitutional concerns.

He explained that one of the major issues under review was whether senators-elect must first take their oath of office before participating in the election of Senate presiding officers.

The Senate Standing Orders regulate legislative activities in the upper chamber, including debates, voting procedures, motions and disciplinary processes.

Before the reversal, the amended rules had strengthened the ranking system for the emergence of presiding officers and principal officers, effectively limiting eligibility mainly to ranking lawmakers and excluding many first-time senators from contesting top positions in the 11th Assembly.