Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, clashed on Wednesday during plenary, less than 24 hours after the Senate amended its Standing Rules to tighten eligibility for leadership positions.
The disagreement occurred when Akpabio began reading the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s sitting.
Oshiomhole raised a point of order, but the Senate President reminded him that such interventions are not permitted at that stage under the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
Akpabio proceeded with the session, directing lawmakers to pages 194 and 195 of the Votes and Proceedings and urging them to familiarise themselves with the rules.
The brief disruption lasted about 10 minutes before proceedings resumed.
Senator Adamu Aliero later moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, allowing the session to continue without further incident.
“Senator Oshiomhole, for the last time, if you become unruly in the Senate, we will use the same rules to remove you from the Senate.”
– Senate President Godswill Akpabio tells Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, as Sen. Oshiomhole protests against new rules on Senate leadership, which will… pic.twitter.com/AZGJ4i914z
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) May 6, 2026
Oshiomhole’s intervention is believed to be linked to recent amendments to the Senate’s Standing Rules, which introduced stricter eligibility criteria for presiding and principal offices in the 11th Senate.
Following a closed-door session, the Senate amended Orders 4 and 5 of its rules, stipulating that only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination are eligible to contest presiding offices.
Under the revised Order 4, nominations for presiding officers must follow strict ranking, beginning with former Senate Presidents down to second-term senators. Order 5 similarly restricts eligibility for principal offices to senators with at least two consecutive terms in office.
The changes effectively exclude first-term senators, including Oshiomhole, from contesting for presiding positions.
The Senate has amended its Standing Orders to restrict eligibility for presiding and principal offices in the 11th National Assembly (after 2027) to only returning members of the current 10th Senate.
The amendment, passed during plenary, limits positions such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President to lawmakers who are re-elected, effectively excluding first-time or non-returning senators. Lawmakers say the move is aimed at ensuring “experienced leadership” in future assemblies.
The development has triggered political tension, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole among those affected by the change. His protest during Wednesday’s plenary is believed to be linked to concerns that the new rules significantly reduce his chances of contesting for a presiding office in the future.
