Drama as Akpabio, Oshiomhole clash in Senate over amended rules
There was drama on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated exchange in the Senate chamber. The drama began when Oshiomhole attempted to
There was drama on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated exchange in the Senate chamber.
The drama began when Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio called for the approval and adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous legislative day.
Akpabio had seemingly failed to recognise the Edo North senator, prompting Oshiomhole to repeatedly shout “point of order,” “point of order.”
Attempts by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno to restore order failed, as Oshiomhole continued to interrupt proceedings.
Akpabio subsequently warned the former Edo governor and cited Senate rules regulating conduct in the chamber, as contained in the Standing Order 2023, as amended, stating that a point of order is not always taken during the Votes and Proceedings.
But when Oshiomhole continued, Akpabio advised that all Senators must read the rules and proceeded to read Order 20(F).
Akpabio said, “We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules.
“The rules and laws governing the Senate Chamber, including its corridors and passages, are clearly defined,” Akpabio said.
“The Senate President is empowered to sign warrants, subpoenas, resolutions, and other official documents issued by order of the Senate.
“He is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the rules of debate.
“Let me be clear, Senator Oshiomhole, many people may not have seen this order, which is why I am reading it out.
“The Senate President is tasked with maintaining order during debates and giving rulings on points of constitutional order when they are raised.
“He also has a casting vote in the event of a tie, but does not vote in any other circumstance.
“Most importantly, he has the authority to interpret the rules—this is clearly stated.
“So, Senator, we should not come into this chamber, especially on matters as serious as contested elections, without a proper understanding of the rules.
“Let me emphasise once again, Senator Oshiomhole, if any member becomes unruly in the Senate, such a member will be asked to leave. This is the final warning.”
While Oshiomhole continued, Akpabio called on former Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu to educate Oshiomhole on the rules.
The lawmaker representing Abia North also tried in vain, just as the Senate President stated there was no point of order at this point.
At this point, Oshiomhole did not stop, and the Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North), warned that if the Edo North senator continued, he would invoke his powers, and then asked Oshiomhole to be guided.
There are insinuations that Oshiomhole’s outburst may not be unconnected with Tuesday’s amendment of the Senate rules.
In a move widely seen as pre-emptive, the Senate amended Orders 4 and 5 of its Standing Rules after about three hours of a closed-door session, restricting eligibility for both presiding and principal offices to ranking lawmakers with defined legislative experience.
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The amendments come amid growing interest by outgoing governors and political heavyweights, some of whom are angling to enter the Senate in 2027, to contest for top leadership roles such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Under the revised Order 4, the Senate reinforced a strict hierarchy for the emergence of presiding officers, saying that "Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
"The order of ranking are (i) former President of the Senate, (ii) former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, (vi) In the absence of i to v, Senators elected into the Senate for the first time," it stated.
Beyond this ranking structure, the Senate introduced a more stringent provision in Order 5, effectively excluding first-time and non-consecutive lawmakers from contesting principal offices.
The amended rule states: "Any Senator shall not be eligible to contest for any Principal Office of the Senate unless he has served as a Senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination."
The implication is that senators-elect who were not members of the 10th Senate would be ineligible to vie for presiding officers' positions in the forthcoming 11th Assembly.
Presiding offices in the Senate include the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, while principal offices comprise Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.
