If we go by new rule, Akpabio not qualified to be Senate President – Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday declared that Senate President Godswill Akpabio would not qualify to occupy the position under the newly amended Senate leadership rules.

Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s tense plenary session, Oshiomhole argued that if the new requirement mandating at least eight uninterrupted years in the Senate for presiding officers is applied fairly, Akpabio himself should not be occupying the office of Senate President.

The Edo North senator accused the Senate leadership of attempting to manipulate the rules to narrow the field of contenders for future leadership positions in the upper chamber.

“Let me explain why this raises a serious moral concern. The Senate President became Minority Leader on his very first day in office during the 8th Senate. He immediately became a principal officer,” Oshiomhole said.

“Now, he is the one presiding over the Senate and asking us to change those same rules.”

The former Edo State governor maintained that Akpabio had not completed eight years in the Senate despite the amendment requiring lawmakers to serve at least two consecutive terms before contesting for presiding offices.

“As we speak today, the Senate President has not spent up to eight years in office. Even if you combine his previous tenure with the current one, it is still not up to eight years.

“So, if we pass a rule requiring anyone to spend eight consecutive years before becoming Senate President, then he should lead by example by vacating the position, because he himself did not meet that qualification before presiding,” he said.

Oshiomhole further faulted the amendment, describing it as an attempt to alter long-standing parliamentary traditions for political convenience.

“As leaders who emerged through a process, we must not make laws to favour or perpetuate anyone in office,” he said.

“Senator David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by manipulating the rules.

“The same rules that enabled David Mark to preside over the Senate for eight years — what is wrong with them? The same rules that allowed the current Senate President to contest for the office — what is wrong with them? Why change them now?”

According to Oshiomhole, the amendment was specifically designed to reduce competition for future Senate leadership contests.

“Previously, the requirement was based on one-term ranking, and he happened to be the only senator from the South-South, where the position was zoned,” he said.

“Naturally, more senators would now become eligible, which would broaden the field of competition. And now he wants to shut that out.”

The senator also insisted he was not intimidated by the controversy surrounding the amendment.

“If others are afraid, I am not afraid. The only person I fear is my Creator, because I have realised that whether you tell the truth or lies, the date of death cannot be shifted forward or backward,” he added.

The remarks came barely 24 hours after a heated confrontation between Oshiomhole and Akpabio disrupted plenary proceedings in the Senate.

The clash followed the Senate’s adoption of amendments to its standing orders after a closed-door session that lasted nearly three hours.

Under the revised rules, only senators who have completed at least two consecutive terms — amounting to eight uninterrupted years — can contest for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The amendment to Order 4 further stipulates that nominations for presiding officers must strictly follow ranking, beginning from former Senate Presidents down to second-term senators.

Order 5 also provides that only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms are eligible to contest for principal offices in the chamber.

During Wednesday’s plenary, Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio moved to confirm the votes and proceedings of the previous sitting.

Akpabio declined to recognise him, prompting the former labour leader to shout “point of order” several times even after his microphone was muted.

Efforts by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno to restore calm failed, forcing Akpabio to issue a stern warning.

“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” Akpabio warned during the tense exchange.