Akpabio, Oshiomhole Clash Over New Senate Leadership Rules

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, clashed in the Senate chamber on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after the upper legislative chamber amended its standing rules to restrict leadership positions to senators who have served at least two consecutive terms.

The amendment effectively prevents Oshiomhole from contesting for a presiding office in the 11th Senate.

Besides the former Edo State governor, it was learnt that the amendment also aims to restrict eligibility for Senators-elect who were not part of the 9th and 10th Senate, including Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Senator Kabiru Marafa; and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

Recall that LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported that Uzodimma, who had served in the Senate, got the blessing of incumbent APC governors to emerge as the next Senate President.

The three-hour closed-door Senate session on Tuesday revised Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules.

The amended Order 4 now provides that nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be based strictly on ranking and must be adhered to accordingly.

It states that the order of ranking includes: (i) Former President of the Senate, (ii) Former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) Former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who have served at least one term of four years, (v) Former Members of the House of Representatives, (vi) In the absence of the above, first-time Senators.

However, Oshiomhole’s protest yesterday may not be unconnected to parliamentary practice, which treats adopted votes and proceedings as the official and binding record of senate resolutions, unless subsequently reviewed.

The confrontation began when Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio called for the confirmation of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous legislative day.

Akpabio ignored the Edo North senator, prompting Oshiomhole to repeatedly shout “point of order” even after his microphone was switched off.

Attempts by Mohammed Monguno, the Senate chief whip, to restore order failed as Oshiomhole continued to interrupt proceedings.

“I am now invoking the powers conferred on me as the chief whip of the Senate fr you to return to your seat. Be guided,” Monguno said.

Oshiomhole ignored the chief whip and continued shouting at the top of his voice.

Akpabio subsequently cautioned the former Edo governor, citing the Senate rules governing conduct in the chamber.

“The rules and laws governing the Senate Chamber, including its corridors and passages, are clearly defined,” Akpabio said.

“The Senate president is empowered to sign warrants, subpoenas, resolutions, and other official documents issued by order of the Senate.

“He is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the rules of debate. Let me be clear, Senator Oshiomhole — many people may not have seen this order, which is why I am reading it out.

“The Senate president is tasked with maintaining order during debates and giving rulings on points of constitutional order when they are raised.

“He also has a casting vote in the event of a tie, but does not vote in any other circumstance.

“Most importantly, he has the authority to interpret the rules—this is clearly stated.

“So, senator, we should not come into this chamber, especially on matters as serious as contested elections, without a proper understanding of the rules.

“Let me emphasise once again, Senator Oshiomhole, if any member becomes unruly in the Senate, such a member will be asked to leave. This is the final warning.”

Patrick Ndubueze, senator (Imo North), also attempted to draw the Senate’s attention to what he described as an omission in Tuesday’s votes and proceedings.

Ndubueze said one of the resolutions contained in the document was neither debated nor adopted by the Senate, but Akpabio dismissed the objection.

Akpabio thereafter subjected the votes and proceedings to a voice vote and ruled in favour of the “ayes” despite louder opposition from the “nays”.

Reacting, however,  Uzodimma submitted that he operates from Government House, Owerri, and not from the red chambers of the National Assembly.

This was made known through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku.

He stressed that the Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is, for now, busy delivering dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

“I am working tirelessly to improve the infrastructure base of the state. This is evident in  the road revolution and other critical sectors of the economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”