Akpabio Must Go!’ — Oshiomhole Says Senate President Is Unfit For Office

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down following the recent amendment to the Senate Standing Orders regulating the emergence of leaders in the upper legislative chamber.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the former Edo State governor expressed concerns over what he described as a moral dilemma created by the newly amended rules. According to reports, Oshiomhole argued that the changes have sparked debates over fairness and the qualifications required to occupy principal positions in the Senate.

The Edo North senator maintained that if the new conditions are to be strictly enforced, Akpabio himself may no longer qualify to preside over the Senate. He explained that the amendment requiring senators to complete longer years of service before contesting for Senate President would also affect the current leadership.

Oshiomhole noted that Akpabio had not spent up to eight years in the Senate when both his previous and current tenures are combined. He argued that it would be unjust for leaders who benefited from earlier rules to alter the system in a way that could prevent others from aspiring to top offices.

According to him, changing laws after benefiting from the old structure raises serious ethical questions and undermines fairness within the institution. He stressed that if the Senate eventually adopts a rule mandating eight uninterrupted years before anyone can contest for Senate President, then the current Senate President should lead by example.

The lawmaker also referenced former Senate President David Mark, who spent eight years leading the Red Chamber under previous arrangements. He questioned the rationale behind introducing stricter conditions that may drastically reduce the number of lawmakers eligible to contest for leadership positions.

The controversy comes amid growing tension within the Senate following the approval of amendments to the Standing Orders earlier this week. Under the revised rules, only senators who have completed at least two uninterrupted terms would qualify to contest for positions such as Senate President and other principal offices in the 11th National Assembly.

The development has reportedly divided lawmakers, with some senators alleging that the amendments were hastily introduced to limit competition ahead of the 2027 political season.