The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District in the NationalAssembly, Adams Oshiomhole, has intensified his criticism of the Senate leadership over recent amendments to the Standing Rules, describing the changes as self-serving and questioning the eligibility of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, under the new framework.
A tense exchange on Tuesday took place between Akpabio and Oshiomhole over the controversial amendments to the Senate Standing Rules.
The dispute followed revisions to Order 2 (3), (4), and (5), which introduced stricter eligibility requirements for aspirants to principal offices in the upper legislative chamber.
Under the amended provisions, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding their nomination, or those who have previously held principal officer positions in earlier assemblies, are eligible to contest for the offices of Senate President and other key leadership positions.
The rules further stipulate that contenders for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President must have completed at least one full four-year term, effectively reinforcing a ranking system that prioritises long-serving lawmakers and former presiding or principal officers.
During the earlier sitting, Oshiomhole raised a point of order against the amendments, warning that they could limit inclusiveness and restrict the democratic rights of lawmakers.
He argued that competence, not tenure, should remain the primary basis for leadership selection in the Senate.
Reiterating his position while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Oshiomhole said the new rules appeared targeted and capable of narrowing the political space within the chamber.
“This rule has serious moral crisis. The Senate President became minority leader on his first term. He is now the one presiding and asking us to change those rules even those who have done one term can’t even contest,” he said.
Oshiomhole further questioned the implication of the amendment for current leadership, insisting that if the rule were applied strictly, it would affect the eligibility of the Senate President himself.
“As we speak today, the Senate President has not done eight years in office even if you count the previous one plus the current one.
“So if we pass the rule that we must do eight consecutive years before you can become Senate President, it means he has to leave by example,” Oshiomhole added.
The former Edo State governor also criticised what he described as attempts to alter established parliamentary procedures for selective advantage, arguing that such moves undermine fairness and institutional integrity.
He referenced the tenure of former Senate President David Mark, noting that leadership continuity in past assemblies was achieved under existing rules without retrospective changes.
“More offensive to me is that as leaders who are products of by-laws, we must not make laws to perpetrate anyone. David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by changing the rules,” he said.
