Oshiomhole: Akpabio Became Senate President ‘By Error

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Oshiomhole argued that the current Senate rules disqualify Akpabio from holding the position of Senate President, insisting that certain provisions regarding tenure and eligibility were not properly observed.

The former Edo State governor referenced the position of Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, on the amendment of the Senate Standing Orders, describing it as valid while stressing that the issue surrounding Akpabio’s emergence was far from settled.

He noted that Akpabio previously served a four-year term in the Senate, lost his re-election bid, later served as a minister, and has now returned to the upper chamber to become Senate President again. According to him, when the terms are combined, Akpabio has not met the alleged eight-year benchmark required for the role.

“If you add his first term to his current term, he still has not served eight years. If eight years is the minimum requirement, Sen. Akpabio does not qualify to preside because he has not met it,” Oshiomhole said.

He further argued that if Akpabio’s emergence was indeed a procedural error, it should be corrected, while also criticizing the interpretation of the word “consecutively” in the Senate rules, which he said effectively shortens the tenure requirement for the office of Senate President.

“These kinds of laws are what breed dictatorship in Africa,” he added.

In a lighter moment during the television appearance, Oshiomhole also took a subtle swipe at Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni, accusing him of consistently being critical during interviews.

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