KEY POINTS

• Godswill Akpabio and Adams Oshiomhole clashed during Senate plenary over the interpretation of amended standing rules.
• Akpabio warned Oshiomhole against disrupting proceedings and threatened disciplinary action if he became unruly.
• The Senate recently amended its rules to restrict eligibility for principal offices to senators who have served two consecutive terms immediately before nomination.

There was drama in the Senate on Wednesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated confrontation over the interpretation of the Senate’s amended standing rules.

The disagreement lasted for more than 15 minutes and briefly disrupted proceedings on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The clash started when Akpabio began reading the Votes and Proceedings from Tuesday’s sitting. Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order, but Akpabio stopped him, insisting that Senate rules do not permit points of order during that stage of proceedings.

Akpabio referred to the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended, maintaining that Oshiomhole was acting against parliamentary procedure.

As Oshiomhole continued to insist on being heard, Akpabio called on former Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu to clarify the rule.

Kalu supported Akpabio’s position, stating that the Senate rules were clear and that points of order could not be entertained at that stage.

Despite the explanation, Oshiomhole reportedly continued speaking, prompting Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno to caution him against violating Senate procedure.

Akpabio later issued a direct warning to the Edo North senator.

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

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

The warning heightened tensions inside the chamber before order was eventually restored

Senate Moves To Restrict Leadership Eligibility

The disagreement is believed to be connected to the Senate’s controversial amendment of its standing rules on Tuesday ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Senate amended Orders 4 and 5 of its rules after a closed-door session that reportedly lasted about three hours.

Under the new amendment, only senators who have served two consecutive terms immediately before nomination can contest for principal offices in the Senate.

The amendment effectively limits eligibility for key leadership positions such as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and other principal offices.

The new rules are expected to affect several politicians who may seek leadership positions in the incoming 11th Senate.

Among those reportedly impacted are Hope Uzodimma, Adams Oshiomhole and Kabiru Marafa.

According to the amended rules, only senators who served in both the 9th and 10th Assemblies and are re-elected into the 11th Senate will qualify to contest for principal offices.

The Senate said the amendment was introduced to strengthen the tradition of ranking and legislative experience in the leadership structure of the upper chamber.