Proceedings in the Senate on Wednesday were briefly disrupted as a heated exchange erupted between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the interpretation of amended standing rules.
The chamber descended into disorder for over 15 minutes after Akpabio began reading the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s sitting.
Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) raised a point of order, prompting the Senate President to remind him that, under the Senate’s Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), such interruptions are not permitted at that stage.
When Oshiomhole persisted, Akpabio invited former Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to clarify the rule. Kalu supported the Senate President’s position, stating that no point of order should be raised during the reading of Votes and Proceedings.
Despite the clarification, Oshiomhole continued his اعتراض, leading Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno to warn that disciplinary powers could be invoked if the disruption persisted.
Akpabio, however, pressed on with the session, referencing relevant pages of the proceedings. As the disagreement lingered, he cautioned Oshiomhole, saying:
“We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules.
“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate.”
The session eventually resumed normalcy after Senator Adamu Aliero moved a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
The confrontation is believed to be linked to Tuesday’s amendment of Senate rules ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the revised Standing Orders, eligibility for the position of Senate President and other principal offices has been restricted to senators who have served at least two consecutive terms, specifically within the 9th and 10th Assemblies.
The amendment effectively limits participation in the 11th National Assembly leadership race to returning lawmakers, excluding many incoming or first-term senators.
According to the Senate, the changes are intended to reinforce parliamentary tradition and the principle of ranking.
Order 4 of the amended rules outlines a hierarchy for leadership selection, prioritising former presiding officers, principal officers, and ranking lawmakers.
Additionally, Order 5 stipulates that any senator seeking a principal office must have served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.
With this provision, only members of the current 10th Senate who secure re-election into the 11th Assembly will be eligible to contest for key leadership positions such as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, and Chief Whip.