By Yinka Giwa
Proceedings in the Senate were briefly disrupted on Wednesday as Senator Adams Oshiomhole openly confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio over newly amended standing rules widely seen as blocking first-term lawmakers from contesting future leadership positions, including the Senate Presidency in 2027.
The clash came barely 24 hours after the Senate amended its Standing Orders to impose stricter eligibility conditions for presiding and principal offices in the Red Chamber.
Trouble started when Akpabio commenced the reading of the Votes and Proceedings from Tuesday’s sitting during plenary.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order, despite being reminded by the Senate President that Senate rules do not permit such interventions during that stage of proceedings.
When the former Edo State governor persisted, Akpabio called on former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to clarify the provision of the Standing Orders.
Kalu reportedly affirmed that senators are not allowed to raise points of order during consideration of Votes and Proceedings.
However, Oshiomhole continued to press his objection, leading Senate Whip Tahir Monguno to caution him against disrupting proceedings and warning that disciplinary sanctions could be invoked if he refused to yield.
Akpabio subsequently resumed the session and directed senators to pages 194 and 195 of the Votes and Proceedings, while taking a veiled swipe at lawmakers unfamiliar with parliamentary procedure.
“We should not just go home, buy forms, and come here without knowing the rules,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also issued a direct warning to Oshiomhole during the heated exchange.
“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” Akpabio warned.
The plenary later continued without further disruption after Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
The confrontation is believed to be connected to growing anxieties among some first-term senators over the Senate’s latest amendment of Orders 4 and 5 of its Standing Rules, a move many lawmakers interpret as an attempt to shape the 2027 leadership succession battle in favour of ranking senators loyal to the current leadership.
Under the amended rules, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination can contest for presiding offices, including Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The revised Order 4 also stipulates that nominations for presiding officers must strictly follow the ranking hierarchy, beginning with former Senate Presidents and cascading down to second-term senators.
Order 5 further provides that only lawmakers with at least two consecutive terms can aspire to principal offices within the Senate.
The amendments effectively shut out first-term senators such as Oshiomhole from any immediate ambition for top Senate leadership positions in the next National Assembly.