Former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has criticised the proposed amendment to the Senate standing rules, insisting that Senate President Godswill Akpabio should resign if the new eligibility requirements are adopted.
Speaking during deliberations on the controversial amendment, Oshiomhole described the proposed rule as morally flawed and targeted at narrowing the field of contenders for the Senate presidency in future assemblies.
He argued that Akpabio himself would not qualify under the proposed conditions being introduced.
“The Senate President became Minority Leader when he got into the Senate. He became a principal officer,” Oshiomhole said.
“He’s now the one presiding and asking us to change this rule such that even somebody who has done one term cannot contest.”
The senator noted that Akpabio had not completed eight years in the Senate, even when his previous and current tenures are combined.
“As we speak today, the Senate President has not done eight years in office. Even if you count the previous one plus the current one, it’s not yet up to eight years,” he stated.
According to Oshiomhole, if the Senate eventually adopts a rule requiring senators to complete eight consecutive years before becoming Senate President, Akpabio should vacate office immediately.
“So if we pass the rules that you must do eight consecutive years before you can be Senate President, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he’s presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualification,” he declared.
Oshiomhole further accused the Senate leadership of attempting to manipulate the rules to favour certain political interests ahead of the next assembly.
He cited former Senate President David Mark as an example of someone who served eight years without altering Senate rules to protect his position.
“David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by playing with the rules,” he said.
“Those rules that enabled David Mark to preside for eight years, what is wrong with them? Those rules that enabled this Senate President to contest for Senate presidency, what is wrong with them? Why changing it now?”
The former labour leader suggested that the amendment was motivated by fears of broader competition for the Senate presidency in the next assembly.
“Last time, this rule of ranking worked in his favour because he turned out to be the only one from the South-South where it was zoned to. So now you hear that more senators will be eligible, which will broaden the competition base. And now he wants to change it,” he said.
Oshiomhole insisted he was not intimidated by political pressure over his opposition to the amendment.
“If other people are afraid, I’m not afraid. I’m only afraid of my creator,” he stated.
“Because I’ve seen whether you tell the lie or you tell the truth, the date of death, you can’t adjust it either forward or backward.”
