….as Akpabio warns: “I’ll apply the rules to remove you”
By Clement John Abuja
Proceedings in the Senate were briefly disrupted on Wednesday following a heated exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the chamber’s amended Standing Orders.
The tension, which lasted over 15 minutes, stalled plenary as lawmakers traded words during the reading of Tuesday’s Votes and Proceedings.
Trouble began when Akpabio commenced the routine exercise, but Oshiomhole repeatedly raised a point of order.
The Senate President reminded him that, under the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), points of order are not entertained during the reading of Votes and Proceedings.
Despite the clarification, Oshiomhole persisted, prompting Akpabio to call on former Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to shed light on the rules. Kalu supported the Senate President’s position, insisting that the procedure did not permit interruptions at that stage.
Oshiomhole, however, continued his drawing a warning from Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, who cautioned that disciplinary powers could be invoked if the disruption persisted.
An apparently irritated Akpabio admonished lawmakers to familiarise themselves with the rules, saying, “We should not just come here without understanding the procedures.”
He then issued a direct warning to Oshiomhole: “If you become unruly, we will apply the rules to take you out of the Senate.”
Order was eventually restored, allowing the chamber to proceed. The Votes and Proceedings were subsequently adopted following a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero and seconded by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
The confrontation is believed to be linked to the Senate’s controversial amendment of its Standing Orders on Tuesday, a move that has sparked disquiet among some lawmakers.
The amendment to Orders 4 and 5 introduces stricter eligibility criteria for leadership positions in the 11th Senate. Under the revised rules, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms one of which must be in the current 10th Assembly can contest for presiding or principal offices.
The development effectively limits eligibility to returning lawmakers in the next Assembly, shutting out newly elected senators from vying for positions such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The revised Order 4 reinforces ranking as the basis for leadership selection, prioritising former presiding officers, principal officers, and ranking senators. Order 5 further tightens the requirement by mandating two consecutive terms of service immediately preceding nomination.
Senate leadership defended the changes as a step toward strengthening parliamentary tradition and ensuring continuity through experience, though critics argue it narrows democratic competition within the chamber.
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