Oshiomhole Fires At Rufai Oseni, Slams “One-Sided Punching” Remarks

According to Ireporter Online, the Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday playfully but pointedly took a swipe at Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni during an appearance on the station’s Morning Show, accusing him of consistently directing critical questions at him in previous interviews.

Oshiomhole, while responding to questions on the programme, suggested that Oseni had repeatedly engaged him in what he described as “one-sided punching” during past interactions. He jokingly remarked that he often observed the trend and anticipated future encounters with the anchor.

“You fight me every day. I watch you. And you do one sided punching and I’m like, one day, we will see,” Oshiomhole said during the live exchange.

Beyond the light-hearted exchange, the senator also addressed ongoing tensions in the Senate over recent amendments to the Standing Orders. He referenced his disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio concerning changes to the rules guiding leadership elections in the Red Chamber.

Oshiomhole has also openly called for Akpabio’s resignation over the controversial amendment, which he argued has created what he described as a “moral crisis” within the Senate. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he faulted the new provisions requiring longer years of uninterrupted service before senators can contest for principal positions, including the office of Senate President.

He argued that if strictly applied, the rule would raise questions about eligibility, including that of Akpabio himself, insisting the Senate President has not completed the required years of service under the proposed framework when his previous and current tenures are combined.

Oshiomhole maintained that it would be unfair to alter rules in ways that restrict political competition after beneficiaries of earlier arrangements have already emerged through the same system. He further referenced former Senate President David Mark, noting that previous leadership transitions were guided by different standards without similar restrictions.

He cautioned against what he described as politically motivated rule changes, warning that such amendments could undermine fairness within the legislative process.

The development follows heightened tensions in the Senate after lawmakers approved controversial revisions to its Standing Orders earlier in the week, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for top leadership positions ahead of the 11th National Assembly.

Some lawmakers have since raised concerns that the amendments were rushed and may be aimed at narrowing the field of contenders ahead of the 2027 political cycle.