Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Edo North senator Adams Oshiomhole clashed on the floor of the Senate after the upper chamber amended its standing rules to tighten eligibility for top leadership positions. The changes are widely seen as reshaping the race for the 2027 Senate presidency and other principal offices.
Under the amended rules, only ranking lawmakers with defined legislative experience will be eligible to contest for presiding roles such as Senate President and Deputy Senate President. The new provisions also bar first term senators and those without at least two consecutive terms from vying for principal offices.
Revised Order 4 of the Senate Standing Rules reinforces a strict hierarchy for choosing presiding officers, listing, in order, former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former principal officers, senators who have served at least one four year term, then former members of the House of Representatives, and only lastly first time senators. Order 5 further states that no senator is eligible to contest any principal office unless they have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination.
The amendments effectively shut out Oshiomhole, who is a first term senator and has been widely reported as harbouring ambitions for the Senate presidency in 2027. They also affect other powerful figures, including outgoing governors planning to move to the Senate and vie for top positions after the next general election.
During plenary, Oshiomhole strongly opposed the changes, warning that they could undermine internal democracy and unfairly restrict capable lawmakers. He argued that competence and acceptability, not just length of stay in the chamber, should determine who can aspire to leadership.
However, Akpabio defended the amendments as necessary to preserve stability, continuity and institutional memory in the Senate’s leadership. He maintained that mature democracies typically rely on ranking and experience to guide the emergence of presiding and principal officers.
Tension rose as Oshiomhole repeatedly shouted “Point of Order” while sections of the amendments were being put to a voice vote, but Akpabio declined to recognise him. In the end, Oshiomhole was the only senator who openly voted against the changes, and his objection did not alter the outcome.
In a related move, the Senate also adjusted its legislative calendar, increasing plenary sittings from three to five days a week — Monday to Friday — and shifting most committee meetings to Friday afternoons. Leaders say the new schedule is intended to boost legislative productivity and oversight.
About the author
Adekunle Gold reveals gender of newborn, dismisses twin rumours
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has revealed that he and his wife, fellow music star Simi, recently welcomed a baby boy, putting to rest widespread rumours that the couple had twins. The Orente crooner made the clarification during a chat on US morning show Great Day Houston, where he spoke about family life and his growing responsibilities as a father of two. In the interview, Adekunle Gold clearly stated that the viral reports about Simi giving birth to twins were untrue. “My wife and I didn’t give birth to twins, it’s just internet rumours, we have a son,” he was quoted as saying, while expressing gratitude for their expanding family. The couple had first confirmed the arrival of their second child in March, when Simi shared photos from a maternity shoot and revealed that the baby was born on March 10, […]
Rihanna’s ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ post sparks Tyla, Ayra Starr fan clash
Rihanna has ignited a fresh wave of stan drama after using Ayra Starr’s hit song Who’s Dat Girl in her Met Gala 2026 recap video, triggering heated exchanges between the fan bases of South Africa’s Tyla and Nigeria’s Ayra Starr. The clip, shared on her social media pages, arrived just days after a viral “snub” moment at the Met Gala where Rihanna appeared to ignore Tyla on the red carpet, giving online debates new fuel. In the recap, Rihanna soundtracked her behind the scenes highlights with Ayra Starr’s collaboration with Rema, a choice many fans immediately interpreted as a public co sign for the Nigerian star. Supporters of Ayra flooded timelines with celebratory posts, insisting the move showed that their fave had earned recognition from one of her biggest inspirations in music. On the flip side, sections of Tyla’s fan […]
SB Live band set to thrill audience in Lagos
Popular Nigerian live band SB Live is set to thrill fun seekers in Lagos with another high energy performance that promises live music at its best. The multiple award winning crossover band, led by frontman Seun Bankole, has built a strong reputation for electrifying shows that blend afrobeats, highlife, juju, fuji and contemporary pop. Organisers say the Lagos outing will feature SB Live delivering an extended set packed with fan favourites, original compositions and creative renditions of classic Nigerian and international hits. Guests can expect the band’s trademark seamless transitions, crowd interaction and spontaneous medleys that often keep audiences on their feet from start to finish. The group, often described as one of the top live bands in the country, is no stranger to high profile stages, having performed at major corporate events, weddings, festivals and government functions in Lagos […]
Accra 2026: Amusan, Ashe lead 45‑man team to CAA Athletics Championships
World record holder Tobi Amusan and sprint sensation Favour Ashe will spearhead Nigeria’s medal charge at the 2026 CAA African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, as part of a 45 athlete delegation named by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The championships, scheduled to hold at the Legon Sports Stadium from May 12 to 17, will feature over 1,000 athletes from about 50 African nations. According to the AFN, Team Nigeria comprises 25 female and 20 male athletes, blending established stars with exciting new talents. Amusan, the women’s 100m hurdles world record holder and multiple African and Commonwealth champion, is expected to compete in her specialist event alongside Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday. Nigeria’s women’s sprint unit is anchored by in form 100m runner Rosemary Chukwuma, who will double in the individual dash and the 4x100m relay. She will […]
La Liga gets five spots for next season’s Champions League
La Liga will have five clubs in next season’s UEFA Champions League after Spain secured one of the two extra European Performance Spots awarded by UEFA. The bonus place comes as a reward for the strong collective performances of Spanish teams across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this term. Under UEFA’s revamped 36 team league phase format, the top two associations in the season’s club coefficient rankings each receive an additional Champions League berth. England and Spain have already mathematically guaranteed those two spots, meaning the teams that finish fifth in the Premier League and La Liga will qualify directly for the next edition of the competition. La Liga’s extra ticket was effectively sealed after Italian side Lazio were knocked out of the Europa League while Athletic Club advanced, ensuring Spain could not be caught in the […]
Arsenal sense Premier League glory as Spurs eye safety
Arsenal are firmly back in control of the Premier League title race and head into the weekend believing they are on the brink of a first English crown in 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s side sit five points clear of Manchester City with just three games left and know that victory at struggling West Ham on Sunday would all but seal the trophy. City’s charge appeared relentless a few weeks ago, but a chaotic 3 3 draw at Everton earlier in the week has left the champions with little margin for error. Arsenal, by contrast, have rediscovered their early season form, stringing together key wins in the league while also progressing deep into the Champions League. Arteta has urged his players to block out title talk and focus on “taking care of business” at the London Stadium, warning that West Ham […]
Related
FG orders emergency repairs on Bida–Lambata road
The Federal Government has ordered emergency repairs on the dilapidated Bida–Lambata road in Niger State, following sustained complaints from motorists, transporters and residents over persistent gridlock and accidents on the route. The corridor is a major economic artery linking Niger to other parts of the country, but its poor state has long caused hardship for commuters and disrupted movement of goods and farm produce. According to the Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has been mobilised to site to begin palliative and emergency intervention works aimed at easing traffic and restoring safer passage. The directive was issued after a stakeholders’ meeting with the National Association of Road Transport Owners and other transport unions, where government officials received fresh reports of stranded vehicles and long queues along the axis. Officials explained that the emergency repairs will focus on […]
NMDPRA boss targets energy reform, improved fuel supply
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Umar Rabiu, has outlined an ambitious agenda to reform Nigeria’s energy sector and strengthen fuel supply nationwide. Rabiu, recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu to lead the regulator, said his priority is to eliminate bottlenecks in the petroleum supply chain and guarantee consistent availability of petrol, diesel and other key products. Speaking at recent industry engagements and in a series of public statements, he pledged to focus on energy security, improved infrastructure and better coordination with operators and other government agencies. He stressed that the Authority would maintain strategic stock buffers and strengthen monitoring of depots, filling stations and transport corridors to curb product hoarding and sharp practices. Rabiu’s agenda builds on ongoing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, which current and former NMDPRA leaders say have […]
Troops bust illegal arms factories in Plateau, arrest five suspects
Troops operating in Plateau State have uncovered illegal arms factories and arrested at least five suspects believed to be involved in the fabrication and supply of locally made weapons. The raids mark a significant step in ongoing efforts to disrupt the flow of illicit arms fuelling violence and criminality in parts of the North Central region. According to reports, troops under Operation Enduring Peace and related joint task forces stormed clandestine arms manufacturing hubs in areas including Langtang North Local Government Area. During one of the operations in Gwandanu village, soldiers found a fully equipped workshop where suspects were caught in the process of fabricating sophisticated firearms. Items recovered from the sites included at least two AK 47 rifles, a G3 rifle and other finished or semi finished weapons. Troops also seized equipment such as generating sets, welding and drilling […]
Navy intercepts 130 bags of smuggled rice in Badagry
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 130 bags of smuggled foreign rice in the Badagry area of Lagos State during a recent anti smuggling operation. The seizure is part of ongoing efforts by naval authorities to clamp down on economic saboteurs operating along Nigeria’s western maritime corridor and border creeks. According to naval sources, personnel attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry carried out intelligence led patrols along the Badagry–Porto Novo axis before tracking down the smugglers. The operation, conducted in line with the Navy’s harmonised standard operating procedures, led to the confiscation of multiple bags of foreign parboiled rice that had been brought in through illegal routes. The intercepted consignment, each bag weighing 50kg, was later handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for further investigation and necessary action. Officials of Customs’ Seme Area Command and Western Marine Command […]
El-Rufai’s son dumps APC as three other Reps defect to new parties
Fresh defections have hit the House of Representatives as Bello El Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai, and three other lawmakers dumped their parties for new platforms. The moves come amid intensifying political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Bello El Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, formally resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress and defected to the African Democratic Congress. His letter of defection was read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Thursday’s plenary session. Two other lawmakers from Kaduna State, Suleiman Yahaya Richifa and Umar Ajilo, also left the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ADC. Both had been elected on the PDP platform but cited internal crises and loss of confidence in the party’s leadership as reasons for their defection. In a related development, Kamilu Ado (also reported as Abdulhakeem Kamilu […]
NDLEA, US DEA smash global drug laundering syndicate, arrest kingpins
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and European partners, has dismantled a major transnational drug money laundering syndicate linked to hundreds of billions of naira in illicit proceeds. The joint operation led to the arrest of an alleged billionaire drug baron and two suspected female kingpins. According to statements released by the NDLEA, the multi country sting involved the US DEA Lagos Country Office and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, France and Greece. Months of intelligence led investigations uncovered a complex network used to launder drug proceeds through front companies, shell firms, pass through bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. The operation culminated in the arrest of the suspected cartel boss, identified as billionaire businessman Amadi Simon, in Switzerland. His alleged accomplices, 34 year old Jecinta Amara Ikechi and 28 year old […]
Be the first to leave a comment