“I’ll remove you from the Senate”—Akpabio, Oshiomhole Clash During Plenary

A face-off in the plenary on Wednesday between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole over what is described as unruly behaviour of the former Governor of Edo State.

There were reports that Akpabio threatened to throw Oshiomhole out of the Senate if he failed to respect the rules of the upper chamber during the faceoff between the two lawmakers.

Akpabio’s caution followed several interruptions by Oshiomhole who had shouted “Point of Order” during the reading of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.

The tense exchange is seen as a follow-up to an earlier clash between both lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday when the Senate President rejected a call from Oshiomhole for Nigeria to take retaliatory measures against South Africa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

Some quarters also see the face-off between the two senators as a power struggle ahead of the race for the Senate Presidency in 2027.

The trouble began on Wednesday at the plenary when Oshiomhole made several interruptions, bringing to the attention of the presiding officer the amended rules of the Senate.

Akpabio therefore asked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to teach his colleague the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Kalu described Oshiomhole’s conduct as “tautological” in his comments, but the interruptions continued.

Akpabio then warned the former governor of Edo State, saying, “If you are a soldier, act like a soldier. If you are a police officer you act like a police officer. “So if you are a senator, you have to follow the rules.”

“Senator Oshiomhole, you are ruled out of order.” He later ruled Oshiomhole out of order.

But Oshiomhole remained on his seat and insisted on being recognized.

Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno also stepped in, warning of possible disciplinary action.

Monguno said, “Senator Oshiomhole, you better be careful, otherwise I will use the powers of the office of the Chief Whip against you.

Akpabio cautioned again, telling Oshiomhole, “If you get out of order, I will remove you from the Senate.”

But after the series of warnings, Oshiomhole appeared to back down and the day’s proceedings in the Senate continued.