Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North in the 10th National Assembly and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that Senate President Godswill Akpabio should have resigned if his proposal to alter Senate rules had been approved.
Oshiomhole's Argument on the Proposed Rule Change
Oshiomhole, a two-term former governor of Edo State, explained that the new rule, which has since been reversed, required any aspirant for Senate President or any principal position in the Red Chamber to have served in the Senate for eight consecutive years. He strongly opposed this development.
The former governor argued that, based on integrity and standards, Akpabio, who was proposing the new rule, would need to resign if it were passed. He noted that Akpabio became a minority leader during his first term in the Senate and is now in his second term as Senate President, meaning he has not yet completed eight years in the chamber.
He added that Akpabio was elected Senate President because the position was zoned to the south-south region, and he was the only high-ranking senator from that area at the time. However, Oshiomhole suggested that Akpabio fears more competition for the same position in 2027.
Nigerians React to Oshiomhole's Statement
The former governor's remarks have sparked reactions from Nigerians. Below are some comments:
- Funsho Abel questioned why former governors retire to the Senate: "Let us ask Oshiomhole, the Senate is not populated by former governors like this coming one. Almost all outgoing governors want to return to the Senate. They all want to legislate after leaving as governor; the rule is okay."
- Jerry Abimbola said Akpabio should not fear competitors: "What is he hiding? He shouldn't be afraid of competitors. There should be senators competing for Senate President in the 11th Assembly. When power falls into wrong hands, wrong decisions are declared as truth."
- Oluwole Olotu remarked: "A freshman senator should not become Senate President. The US Constitution grants Congress the power to pass its own rules. But we digress; nothing works in Nigeria according to best practices."
- Fuji Dancer supported Oshiomhole: "Baba Oshio is making a good point. Akpabio is self-serving. After climbing a ladder to the top, he pulls it up to stop others from climbing. He should realize that zones producing the number one and two citizens affect the zoning of the number three citizen, the Senate President."
Background: Akpabio's Proposed Rule
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Senate amended its internal rules that previously restricted eligibility for the Senate presidency to a few. The new rules indicated that only members of the 10th National Assembly who returned to the Chamber could become principal officers in the 11th Assembly. This decision followed a marathon closed-door session that was publicly criticized by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the Nigerian Senate over leadership and rule-making processes.
