Oshiomhole demands Akpabio’s resignation over Senate Standing Orders

The Senator representing Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign over recent amendments to the Senate Standing Orders governing the election of principal officers in the upper chamber.

Oshiomhole made the call on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Abuja, describing the amended rules as being rooted in what he termed a “moral crisis” that raises concerns about fairness, eligibility and leadership ethics in the Senate.

He argued that under the new framework, Akpabio does not meet the moral and procedural threshold to continue presiding over the Senate, insisting that the changes appeared targeted and inconsistent with past practices.

“This rule has serious moral crisis. The Senate President became minority leader on his first term. He is now the one presiding and asking us to change those rules,” Oshiomhole said.

He further questioned the proposed requirement that only senators with at least eight years of continuous service could qualify for leadership positions, arguing that such a rule would directly affect the current Senate President.

According to him, “If we pass the rule that we must do eight consecutive years before you can become Senate President, it means he has to leave by example.”

Oshiomhole also referenced former Senate President David Mark’s exemplary leadership, warning against altering rules for political convenience after benefiting from them. He said legislative procedures should not be changed to favour individuals, insisting that fairness and consistency must guide parliamentary decisions.

The senator’s remarks come amid ongoing controversy over recent amendments to the Senate Standing Orders, which have sparked divisions within the upper chamber and triggered further debates on eligibility criteria for leadership positions.