Tension flared in the Senate on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio engaged in a heated exchange with Senator Adams Oshiomhole during plenary.
The confrontation came less than 24 hours after the Senate amended its standing rules, introducing stricter conditions for eligibility into presiding offices.
The disagreement began when Akpabio started reading the Votes and Proceedings from the previous sitting. Oshiomhole interrupted by raising a point of order, but the Senate President ruled him out, citing provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), which do not allow such interventions at that stage.
Despite the ruling, Oshiomhole persisted, prompting Akpabio to call on former Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, to clarify the rule. Kalu confirmed that points of order cannot be raised while the chamber is considering the Votes and Proceedings.
The situation escalated as Oshiomhole continued his اعتراض, drawing a warning from Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, who cautioned against disrupting proceedings and hinted at possible disciplinary action.
Akpabio then directed senators to consult specific pages of the Votes and Proceedings, stressing the importance of understanding the Senate’s rules. He also issued a stern warning to Oshiomhole, stating that any further disorderly conduct could lead to sanctions.
Normalcy was eventually restored after Senator Adamu Aliero moved a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.
The clash is widely linked to the Senate’s recent rule amendment, which now requires any senator aspiring to a presiding office to have completed at least two consecutive terms before nomination—a provision that effectively bars Oshiomhole from contesting for such positions under the current leadership arrangement.
