Barely 24 four hours after amended Senate standing rules was allegedly passed, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his Edo north counterpart, Senator Adams Oshiomhole reportedly clashed on Wednesday plenary.
The confrontation is tied directly to a newly amended Senate standing rule that many see as politically ill-conceived and specifically targeting some selected Senators, whom Akpabio fear may jostle for principal offices ahead of the 11th National Assembly next year.
Origin of the clash
The Senate had just amended its standing orders to tighten eligibility for leadership positions. The new rule requires senators to have at least two consecutive terms (about 8 years) to contest for top offices like Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Chief Whip, Majority Leader, etc.
This amendment effectively disqualifies many first-term Senators and some incoming Ex Governors from occupying leadership role in the 11th Senate.
Nigerians React
Nigerians questioned the sudden amendment if not for targeted motives. Essentially, the change is seen as affecting key APC figures including Hope Uzodinma and other influential politicians in Nigeria which Oshiomhole, a one-term Senator is part of. Therefore, they would be ineligible under the new rule should they express desire in principal offices in June, 2027.
The new rule exposed broader political and constitutional implications by outrightly shorting the door against fellow collegues under the guise of “experience memory”. They further pointed to Bukola Saraki, a former President of Senate who served in the exalted office in his first term (2015-2019).
The amendment is being criticised in different ways as it limit competition, equal opportunity to members and narrows the race to a select group of Senators who would lead the 11th Senate (2027–2031).
A rule that only favors some selected Senators negate the core idea of democratic values and it should be rejected outrightly. The amendment reflects a broader power-struggle strategy pioneered by Akpobio and allies aimed to firmly hold grip to Senate leadership beyond 2027.
President Tinubu, leader of the party is expected to intervene on the matter as soon as he returns to the country. He still very much has a stake and his opinion too carries force of legitimacy on this controversial amendment rule. The All Progressives Congress (APC) still retains overwhelming majority in the parliament and must double effort to retain majority in order to profit from the new rule.
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