‘He Should Vacate Senate President Seat’ — Oshiomhole Calls For Akpabio’s Ouster Over Rule Change

Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has openly criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the recent amendment of the Senate Standing Rules, describing the move as an attempt to shrink competition and perpetuate personal interests within the National Assembly.

Oshiomhole spoke on Thursday while addressing journalists following his heated confrontation with Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday over the newly amended Senate Standing Orders guiding eligibility for Senate leadership positions.

The former Edo State governor argued that the amendment, which now requires Senators seeking presiding offices to have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination, was unfair and politically motivated.

“The Senate President became a minority leader, a principal officer during his first term as a Senator during the 8th Senate. Now he’s the one presiding and asking us to change those rules,” Oshiomhole said.

“As we speak today, the Senate President hasn’t spent up to eight years even if you count his previous years and his current one. So if we pass the rule that you must do eight consecutive years before you can become a Senate President, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he’s presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualifications.”

The senator further accused Akpabio of attempting to alter Senate rules out of fear of broader competition for the Senate Presidency in the future.

“More offensive to me is that as leaders who are piloting affairs, we must not make laws to perpetuate anyone,” he stated.

“Senator David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by playing with the rules. Those rules that enabled David Mark to serve for eight years, what is wrong with them? Those rules that enabled this Senate President to contest for Senate Presidency, what is wrong with them?”

“Why change it now because the last time he turned out to be the only one from the South-South when it was zoned so now he fears that more Senators would be eligible, which will broaden the competition base and now he wants to shrink it.”

Oshiomhole also declared that he was unafraid of intimidation within the Senate chamber.

“If other people are afraid, I am not afraid. I am only afraid of my creator, because I have seen whether you tell lies or truth, you cannot adjust your date of death forward or backward,” he added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the controversy followed a dramatic clash between both lawmakers during Wednesday’s plenary session, barely 24 hours after the Senate amended its standing rules to tighten eligibility requirements for leadership positions in the next Senate session.

Trouble began when Akpabio commenced the reading of the Votes and Proceedings from Tuesday’s sitting and Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order.

Akpabio, however, ruled him out, insisting that Senate rules do not permit such interventions during consideration of Votes and Proceedings under the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).

Despite the clarification, Oshiomhole continued pressing his objection, prompting Senate Whip Tahir Monguno to caution him against disrupting proceedings and warned that disciplinary measures could be invoked.

Akpabio subsequently directed lawmakers to pages 194 and 195 of the Votes and Proceedings and urged senators to familiarise themselves with Senate procedures.

“We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules,” Akpabio said during the session.

The Senate President also issued a stern warning to Oshiomhole.

“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” Akpabio warned.

Proceedings later resumed without further disruption after Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

The amended Senate rules are generating controversy within political circles, as the new provisions effectively disqualify first-term senators, including Oshiomhole, from contesting presiding and principal offices in the Red Chamber.