Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Wednesday, clashed during plenary over the chamber’s newly amended standing rules on leadership eligibility.
The disagreement, which briefly disrupted proceedings for about 10 minutes, came barely 24 hours after the Senate tightened its rules for contesting presiding and principal offices in the upper chamber.
Trouble started when Akpabio commenced the reading of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s sitting and Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order.
However, Akpabio ruled him out, insisting that Senate Standing Orders 2023, as amended, do not permit points of order during the consideration of Votes and Proceedings.
When Oshiomhole persisted, Akpabio invited former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to clarify the rule.
Kalu reportedly affirmed that senators are not allowed to raise points of order at that stage of proceedings.
Despite the clarification, Oshiomhole continued pressing his objection, prompting Senate Whip Senator Tahir Monguno to caution him against further disruption and warn that disciplinary action could be taken.
Akpabio thereafter continued with the session, directing senators to pages 194 and 195 of the Votes and Proceedings while urging lawmakers to familiarise themselves with Senate rules.
“We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also issued a stern warning to Oshiomhole, saying, “If you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate.”
Proceedings later resumed normally as Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, seconded by Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro.
The confrontation is believed to be linked to the Senate’s recent amendment of its standing rules, which introduced stricter conditions for senators seeking presiding and principal offices in the 11th Senate.
Following a closed-door session, lawmakers amended Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules to tighten eligibility requirements.
Under the new Order 4, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination can contest for presiding offices, while nominations must follow ranking from former Senate Presidents to second-term senators.
Order 5 also stipulates that only senators with at least two consecutive terms are eligible to contest for principal offices.
The amendment effectively disqualifies first-term senators, including Oshiomhole, from aspiring to key leadership positions in the Senate.
