Akpabio threatens to “Throw Out” Oshiomhole as Senate erupts over new power rules

 

Tension exploded inside the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a heated face-off during plenary, just hours after controversial new Senate rules appeared to block certain lawmakers from top leadership positions.

The drama began when Akpabio started reading the Votes and Proceedings from the previous sitting. Oshiomhole suddenly interrupted with a point of order, but Akpabio immediately shut him down, insisting that Senate rules do not allow such interruptions at that stage.

Refusing to back down, Oshiomhole continued pressing his objection, creating visible tension on the Senate floor.

In an apparent move to silence the growing dispute, Akpabio called on former Chief Whip Orji Kalu to interpret the rules. Kalu sided with the Senate President, confirming that no senator is permitted to raise a point of order during consideration of Votes and Proceedings.

But the confrontation only intensified.

As Oshiomhole persisted, Senate Whip Tahir Monguno warned him to stop disrupting proceedings or face disciplinary action.

Akpabio then delivered a stinging remark that sent shockwaves through the chamber:

“We should not just go home, buy forms and come here without knowing the rules.”

Moments later, the Senate President issued an even tougher warning directly at Oshiomhole:

“If you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate.”

The fiery exchange comes amid outrage over the Senate’s newly amended standing rules, which now require senators seeking presiding offices to have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination.

Political observers believe the amendment was strategically designed to block Oshiomhole from contesting for powerful leadership positions in the 11th Senate.

Despite the tension, the Senate later resumed normal proceedings after Senator Adamu Aliero moved for adoption of the Votes and Proceedings, seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro.

Behind the scenes, however, the clash is already fueling speculation of a deepening power war within the Senate leadership.