The Nigerian Senate recently became the centre of political controversy following an amendment to its Standing Orders that sought to redefine who can contest for key leadership positions in the upper legislative chamber.
The development triggered heated reactions among lawmakers, particularly between Senate President Godswill Akpabioand Edo North senator Adams Oshiomhole, with concerns raised over fairness, eligibility, and the future of Senate leadership ahead of the 11th National Assembly.
What Changed In The Senate Rule Book?
On May 5, 2026, the Senate amended its Standing Orders to restrict eligibility for the office of Senate President and other principal positions to lawmakers with extensive parliamentary experience.
Under the revised rules, only senators who had completed at least two terms would qualify to contest for principal offices in the Senate. In addition, one of those terms must be the immediate term preceding the nomination.
The amended Order 4 stated:
“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, and (vi) in the absence of i to v, Senators elected into the Senate for the first time.”
By implication, only senators currently serving in the 10th National Assembly who secure re-election into the 11th Senate would be eligible to contest for the Senate presidency and other top leadership positions.
The Senate leadership explained that the amendment was designed to strengthen the tradition of ranking and preserve legislative experience within the chamber.
Oshiomhole Challenges Akpabio Over Controversial Amendment
The amendment quickly generated controversy after Senator Adams Oshiomhole openly criticised the new rules and called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Oshiomhole described the amendment as morally inconsistent, arguing that Akpabio himself would not meet the same requirements being introduced.
“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,” Oshiomhole said.
He further questioned Akpabio’s qualification under the proposed framework.
“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 by vacating because he is presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualification,” he added.
Oshiomhole also accused the Senate leadership of attempting to alter long-standing procedures for political advantage.
“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 playing by the rules.
“Those rules that enabled David Mark to preside for eight years, what happened to them? Why changing them now because he fears that more senators will be eligible which will broaden the competitive base. So he wants to soak it. If other people are afraid, I am not afarid. I am only afraid of my creator,” Oshiomhole stated.
His comments intensified debate within the Senate, with many observers questioning whether the amendment was aimed at narrowing the field of future contenders for Senate leadership positions.
Senate Moves To Reverse Controversial Amendment
Amid mounting criticism, the Senate later reversed the amendment to its Standing Orders during plenary.
The motion for reversal was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who explained that the earlier changes could create constitutional inconsistencies and unnecessary tension within the legislature.
According to Bamidele, amendments made to Section 2, Subsection 2, and Section 3, Subsection 1, required further legislative and constitutional review.
The reversal was adopted during plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.
Before the reversal, the Senate had also amended its rules to state that only senators-elect who had taken the oath prescribed in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution would be permitted to participate in Senate proceedings, including voting for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
Fresh Tension Emerges During Senate Proceedings
The controversy did not end with the reversal, as tensions resurfaced during plenary when Oshiomhole attempted to clarify his earlier remarks following his disagreement with Akpabio.
The senator raised a point of order, insisting that lawmakers should not be prevented from expressing their opinions on issues before the chamber.
However, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau ruled him out of order, stating that the matter had already been settled.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also intervened, urging Oshiomhole to bring any further concerns through a substantive motion in line with Senate procedures.
Bamidele further cautioned the former Edo State governor against what he described as unnecessary “drama” on the Senate floor, referencing the heated exchanges that had taken place during the previous day’s proceedings.
The controversy surrounding the Senate rule amendment has continued to generate reactions across political circles, with many Nigerians closely watching how the leadership tussle and internal disagreements within the upper chamber may shape the politics of the 11th National Assembly.
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