Presidency Ordered Senate To Reverse Controversial Amendment, Furious Akpabio Wanted To Superimpose Himself – Report

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday rescinded its recent amendment to the Senate Standing Orders, reversing a controversial decision that had restricted eligibility for the office of Senate President and other principal positions in the 11th National Assembly.

The reversal followed a motion of rescission sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and adopted during plenary under the supervision of Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.

A source familiar with developments told SaharaReporters that the Presidency intervened following concerns over the implications of the amendment, which was widely interpreted as limiting competition for the Senate presidency ahead of 2027.

According to the source, “the Presidency is furious and worried that Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, could be that desperate to pass such an undemocratic and obnoxious amendment of Senate rules that will pave the way for him to superimpose himself as Senate President in the yet-to-be inaugurated 11th Senate.”

The source further disclosed that the Presidency “had to activate their henchmen in the leadership of the 10th Senate and directed them to reverse the amendment with immediate effect.”

“This is a big blow to Senator Godswill Akpabio who never wanted to contest the position with anyone come June 2027 when the 11th Senate will be inaugurated,” the source said.

The now-reversed amendment had stipulated that only senators who had served two terms could contest for principal offices, with one of the terms required to be the immediate preceding term.

Critics said the provision would have significantly narrowed the pool of eligible contenders.

With Thursday’s reversal, all senators who were previously excluded under the amended rules are now eligible to contest for the Senate presidency and other leadership positions.

The development comes amid growing political tension within the Senate following Wednesday’s heated exchange over the controversial rules, during which Senate President Akpabio warned Senator Adams Oshiomhole after he opposed the amendment.

SaharaReporters had reported that tempers flared during plenary when Oshiomhole attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio moved to confirm the votes and proceedings of the previous sitting.

Akpabio refused to recognise him, prompting Oshiomhole to repeatedly shout “point of order” even after his microphone was muted.

Attempts by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, to restore order reportedly failed as the shouting match escalated on the floor of the chamber.

“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 had warned.

But Oshiomhole refused to back down, forcing Akpabio to issue a stern warning.

“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” Akpabio said during the tense exchange.

The rescinded amendment had triggered internal disagreements within the chamber, with some lawmakers arguing that it undermined established parliamentary conventions and constitutional principles.

The Senate is expected to further review its Standing Orders in line with constitutional provisions and legislative practice as political positioning intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Senate had rescinded its controversial amendment to the Senate Standing Orders, marking a dramatic reversal in its earlier decision on internal rules governing leadership eligibility.

The move has reopened the contest for key leadership positions in the 11th National Assembly and is expected to reshape early political alignments ahead of 2027.

It also potentially clears the path for politicians such as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and other first-term lawmakers to vie for the Senate Presidency in 2027.

The development comes barely 48 hours after the upper chamber amended its rules to restrict eligibility for presiding and principal offices to senators who had completed at least two consecutive terms, a move widely interpreted as targeting ambitious first-term senators and reshaping the succession battle ahead of the next National Assembly.

During Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers moved to reverse the amendment after concerns emerged that some of the newly introduced provisions could conflict with the 1999 Constitution.

In a video from the session seen by SaharaReporters on Thursday afternoon, one senator explained that the Senate had decided to return to the long-established parliamentary tradition where lawmakers-elect can participate in the election of presiding officers before taking their oath of office.

“Here is the operating statement. But a member may, before taking the oath, take part in the election of a president and a deputy president of the Senate, as the case may be, or a speaker and a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives,” Bamidele said.

“In other words, Mr. President and distinguished colleagues, the election of presiding officers will have to take place as it has always been, before distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives will take their oath.”

Bamidele further argued that after “further legislative and constitutional review,” portions of the amendment introduced under various sections of the Senate Orders appeared capable of creating “constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions” with provisions of the Constitution.

“The Senate notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice,” he added.

He also stressed that the Senate possessed the parliamentary authority to “revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework.” (SaharaReporters)