Oshiomhole questions Akpabio’s eligibility under new Senate rules

Fresh cracks may be emerging within the Senate leadership after Senator Adams Oshiomhole openly questioned the eligibility of Senate President Godswill Akpabio under newly amended Senate rules.

Oshiomhole on Thursday declared that Akpabio would not qualify to occupy the position of Senate President if the revised leadership provisions guiding the upper legislative chamber were strictly applied. The senator representing Edo North remarked on deliberations on amendments to the Senate standing orders, triggering reactions within the Red Chamber and raising fresh concerns over internal divisions among lawmakers.

According to Oshiomhole, the amended rules were introduced to strengthen institutional credibility and ensure that only lawmakers with sufficient legislative experience, parliamentary integrity and broad acceptance among senators emerge as presiding officers.
He argued that the Senate must place competence and due process above political considerations, insisting that the National Assembly should operate independently without undue external influence in the emergence of its leadership.

“If these rules were to be strictly interpreted and implemented, certain persons occupying leadership positions today would not qualify,” Oshiomhole reportedly stated during the debate, a comment widely interpreted as a direct reference to Akpabio.

Although the former Edo State governor stopped short of calling for Akpabio’s removal, his comments immediately generated tension among senators, with some lawmakers viewing the remarks as a subtle challenge to the legitimacy of the current leadership structure.
Supporters of the Senate President, however, dismissed the comments as political rhetoric, maintaining that Akpabio emerged through a legitimate democratic process backed by the majority of senators.

Akpabio has not officially responded to the statement as of the time of filing this report.
Political observers say the development reflects growing undercurrents within the Senate amid ongoing debates over reforms aimed at strengthening parliamentary independence and redefining the process for selecting principal officers.
The controversy comes at a time when the National Assembly is facing increasing scrutiny over its relationship with the executive arm of government, with critics calling for stronger institutional autonomy and transparency in legislative affairs.

Analysts believe discussions around the Senate rules could shape future contests for leadership positions in the upper chamber and influence political alignments ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has remained one of the most vocal lawmakers in the Senate since his inauguration, frequently speaking on governance, party politics and institutional reforms.
His latest remarks are expected to fuel further debate within political circles over the balance of power in the National Assembly and the future direction of Senate leadership reforms.

kenneth Athekame

Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.