JUST IN: Akpabio, Oshiomhole clash as Senate tightens leadership rules
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 […]