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Senate Reverses Controversial Rule Amendment After Oshiomhole-Akpabio Clash

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Promise Odejide

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The Senate on Thursday reversed its earlier amendment to key sections of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 after concerns emerged that the changes could conflict with the 1999 Constitution.

The reversal followed a heated controversy that had rocked the red chamber over eligibility rules for principal leadership positions.

Senate retreats after constitutional concerns

Lawmakers rescinded the amendments to Orders 2(2) and 3(1), restoring the previous provisions.

The earlier amendment had restricted principal offices to senators serving at least a second term, effectively shutting out potential contenders in the incoming 11th National Assembly expected to commence in June 2027.

Among those believed to be affected were Senators Adams Oshiomhole, Hope Uzodimma and Kabiru Marafa.

Oshiomhole, Akpabio clash over amendment

The controversy intensified on Wednesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole clashed during plenary.

Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings, prompting warnings from the Senate President.

At one point, Akpabio threatened to order Oshiomhole out of the chamber if he continued disrupting proceedings.

Despite the tension, the Senate initially went ahead with the amendment.

Senate Leader moves rescission motion

During Thursday’s plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to reverse the changes, arguing that fresh constitutional reviews revealed possible conflicts with Section 52 of the Constitution.

“Certain provisions introduced under Order 2 Subsection 2 and Order 3 Subsection 1 may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies,” he said.

Bamidele added that the Senate retained the authority to revisit and correct earlier decisions in order to protect parliamentary integrity.

Barau backs reversal

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, described the motion as necessary and straightforward.

“This is just for us to go in conformity with the constitution,” Barau said.

He commended the Senate Leader for quickly identifying the issue before it escalated further.

Oshiomhole faults rushed process

Reacting after the reversal, Oshiomhole criticised the process that led to the initial amendment.

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

He urged the Senate to allow more robust debates before taking major decisions in the future.

Bamidele, however, cautioned senators against turning legislative proceedings into unnecessary drama, insisting that disruptions during previous sittings overshadowed important parliamentary business.

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