Senator Adams Oshiomhole has argued that Senate President Godswill Akpabio would not qualify to occupy his current position under the Senate’s newly amended leadership rules.
Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s tense plenary session, Oshiomhole criticised the amendment requiring senators seeking presiding offices to have completed at least eight uninterrupted years in the chamber.
“The Senate President became Minority Leader on his very first day in office during the 8th Senate. He immediately became a principal officer,” Oshiomhole said.
“Now, he is the one presiding over the Senate and asking us to change those same rules.”
The Edo North lawmaker accused the Senate leadership of attempting to alter parliamentary traditions in a way that could narrow the field of contenders for future leadership positions.
According to him, Akpabio himself had not met the new eight-year threshold before emerging as Senate President.
“As we speak today, the Senate President has not spent up to eight years in office. Even if you combine his previous tenure with the current one, it is still not up to eight years,” he stated.
“So, if we pass a rule requiring anyone to spend eight consecutive years before becoming Senate President, then he should lead by example by vacating the position.”
Oshiomhole also defended the Senate’s previous standing rules, citing former Senate President David Mark as an example of stable leadership without procedural changes.
“The same rules that enabled David Mark to preside over the Senate for eight years what is wrong with them? The same rules that allowed the current Senate President to contest for the office what is wrong with them? Why change them now?” he asked.
The Senate recently amended its standing orders following a closed-door session, introducing a requirement that only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms equivalent to eight uninterrupted years can contest for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The revised rules also extend similar eligibility conditions to other principal offices in the chamber.
Oshiomhole further alleged that the amendment was designed to reduce the number of eligible aspirants in future Senate leadership contests.
His remarks come barely a day after a heated confrontation with Akpabio disrupted plenary proceedings, prompting the Senate President to warn that unruly conduct could attract disciplinary measures.
