Senate Plunges into Chaos as Akpabio, Oshiomhole Clash Over Amended Rules

By

The Nigerian Senate plunged into disorder on Wednesday for over 15 minutes following a heated confrontation between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the interpretation of amended Standing Rules.

The crisis began when Akpabio started reading the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s sitting and Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, raised a point of order. The Senate President ruled him out of order, citing the 2023 Standing Rules, which prohibit points of order during that stage of proceedings.

Oshiomhole persisted despite repeated rulings, prompting Akpabio to call on former Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who upheld the position that no point of order is allowed at that stage.

As the tension escalated, Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno warned that disciplinary action could be invoked if the disruption continued. Akpabio also cautioned lawmakers on adherence to procedure, saying members should not assume office without understanding the rules of the chamber.

The Senate President later warned Oshiomhole that continued unruly conduct could lead to sanctions, including removal from the chamber under Senate rules.

Order was eventually restored, allowing proceedings to continue. Senator Adamu Aliero moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

The clash is linked to recent amendments to the Senate Standing Rules ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawmakers had on Tuesday amended Orders 4 and 5 after a closed-door session, tightening eligibility for presiding and principal offices.

The revised rules now limit eligibility for such positions to senators with at least two consecutive terms, with one term required to immediately precede nomination, effectively narrowing the field for leadership positions in the 10th Assembly and beyond.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kwara North Unites at Ilorin Rally, Backs Tinubu, Demands Governorship Shift

By
Image
 A large political rally in Ilorin on Tuesday saw renewed support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and strong calls for the governorship of Kwara State to be zoned to Kwara North in 2027. The rally, held at Metropolitan Square, Asa Dam, attracted party members, stakeholders and supporters from across the state, signalling rising political mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle. Speakers at the event stressed the need for equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of political power, urging the All Progressives Congress at both state and national levels to zone its governorship ticket to Kwara North. Representing traditional rulers from the district, the Emir of Lafiagi, Muhammed Kudu Kawu , said the demand reflects the long-standing aspiration of the people. He noted that Kwara North has remained largely excluded from the state’s top leadership despite its contributions to electoral victories and political stability. Kawu added that the district h...
Read more

FG Approves Major NYSC Reform, Introduces Civilian Leadership Structure

By
Image
The Federal Government has approved a comprehensive restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, marking the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago. The approval was granted at the federal executive council meeting held in Abuja on Monday as part of efforts to reposition the NYSC into a skills-focused and productivity-driven institution aligned with the Federal Government’s economic and youth development agenda. A major component of the reform is the introduction of a civilian-led operational structure for the scheme, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country. The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the implementation of the reforms. Announcing the development, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative ...
Read more

NYSC Reform: FG Replaces Khaki Uniform With Adire Fabric

By
Image
The Federal Government has announced that the traditional khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, will be replaced with Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting local production. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the initiative is designed to strengthen indigenous industries and ensure government spending supports Nigeria’s economy. According to the minister, the new NYSC uniform will be produced locally, noting that Adire is already manufactured in several parts of the country, including Ogun and Kwara states. “It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said. He explained that the decision forms part of broader reforms intended to boost Nigeria’s textile industry, encourage l...
Read more