A heated confrontation erupted in the Senate on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole clashed during plenary, barely 24 hours after the red chamber amended its standing rules to tighten eligibility for leadership positions.
The drama unfolded during the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings from Tuesday’s sitting when Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio was reading the document.
Under the Senate Standing Orders, lawmakers are not permitted to raise points of order at that stage of proceedings, a position Akpabio insisted upon despite persistent interruptions from the Edo North senator.
The disagreement disrupted plenary for several minutes as Oshiomhole continued shouting “Point of order!” even after his microphone was switched off.
Efforts by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, to restore order proved unsuccessful.
“I am now invoking the powers conferred on me as the chief whip of the Senate for you to return to your seat. Be guided,” Monguno warned.
However, Oshiomhole ignored the directive and continued protesting loudly from his seat.
Akpabio then openly cautioned the former Edo State governor, reminding him of the rules guiding conduct within the chamber.
“The Senate President is tasked with maintaining order during debates and interpreting the rules of the Senate,” Akpabio said during plenary.
“Senator Oshiomhole, if any member becomes unruly in the Senate, such a member will be asked to leave. This is the final warning.”
Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, was also called upon to clarify the rule, confirming that lawmakers cannot raise points of order during the adoption of Votes and Proceedings.
Despite the explanations, Oshiomhole maintained his objection, while Senator Patrick Ndubueze also attempted to draw attention to what he described as an omission in Tuesday’s proceedings.
According to Ndubueze, one of the resolutions listed in the Votes and Proceedings had neither been debated nor adopted during the previous sitting.
Akpabio, however, dismissed the objections and proceeded to adopt the document through a voice vote, ruling in favour of the “ayes” despite louder opposition from the “nays.”
The clash is widely believed to be connected to the Senate’s controversial amendment of its standing rules on Tuesday following a closed-door session that reportedly lasted about three hours.
Under the amended Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate Standing Rules, only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination are now eligible to contest for presiding and principal offices in the Senate.
The revised rules effectively disqualify first-term senators, including Oshiomhole, from contesting for key leadership positions within the 11th Senate.
The amendment is also believed to be linked to growing political calculations ahead of the 2027 Senate presidency race, amid speculations surrounding possible returns to the upper chamber by politicians such as Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege.
