Senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole accused senate president Godswill Akpabio of harbouring a bias against him, saying the senate leader is suspicious of his activities and influence within the national assembly on Sunday, June 14.

Oshiomhole made the remarks amid rising tensions in the senate over controversy generated by his recent comments on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The former Edo state governor stated that Akpabio has an unfounded prejudice against him despite his contributions to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the victory of president Bola Tinubu in the election.

“Don’t forget I was a founding governor of the APC and deputy director-general of Bola Tinubu campaign council that gave us victory. I am not saying that I am responsible for the victory, but I worked for it and I am happy that we got it.

“He (Akpabio) is so paranoid about anything that concerns me. Everybody in the senate knows that if senator Akpabio have his way, he will lock me out of the senate because he has deluded himself into thinking that I am possibly the devil he knows. “He doesn’t know there are many angels,” he said.

“The next senate leadership arrangement will be very different from the present one,” the senator predicted citing growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers.

“I can say the 11th senate will not be like the 10th. That is impossible.” senators are grousing about his style of leadership. But we cope and I have tried to assure him that ‘Look, senate president, I am a very fulfilled person.

“Whatever job I am asked to do, I ask God to give me courage and even greater wisdom to do that job to the satisfaction of my constituents. It is very well known that the senate president is biased against me. “I am not going to speculate as to why he has bias,” he said.

Akpabio often becomes uneasy whenever he interacts with certain senators, Oshiomhole added, citing an encounter involving senator Abdulaziz Yari as an example.

“Many people in the senate know that. In fact, if I go around the floor of the senate and I go greet certain persons and we have conversations, the man becomes uncomfortable. “Let me give you an example,” Oshiomhole said.

“Senator Yari approached the senate president and said he wanted to be the vice-chairman of the senate committee on Interior. I am chairman of the Senate Interior Committee. The senate president told him, “So you want to join Senator Oshiomhole to plan how to remove me as Senate president?” But I just laugh.

The senate president is “first among equals” and subservient to the collective will of senators, he says.

“If you understand the way the senate works, the senate president is the first among equals. The senators favour only the persons elected.

Remember, if senator Yari had gotten the majority, he could have become the senate President. It is not a question of what anybody wants. It’s about who the senators want,” he cautioned.

The comments come days after the senate publicly dissociated itself from Oshiomhole’s characterization of the NNPC as a bunch of criminals and thieves, insisting that the comments were his personal views and not that of the Red Chamber.

Last week, during plenary, the senate passed a motion sponsored by senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, clarifying that no committee of the senate is empowered to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest without strict adherence to the Legislative Houses (Powers and privileges) Act and the express approval of the senate president.

The resolution followed reports that the senate committee on public accounts recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, over his failure to honour invitations by the committee.

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Mele Kyari, a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has described the decision of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts to issue an arrest warrant against him, over an ongoing investigation into the affairs of the national oil company as “deeply shocking”.

Kyari, in a formal response addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, sighted by The Whistler, said he had earlier told the committee that he was outside the country receiving treatment and could not attend its proceedings physically.

Former NNPC boss, Maikanti Baru, has insisted that he had no intention to evade the committee’s invitation and was still willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Kyari said in the letter that his position had already been communicated to the committee in a letter dated May 11, 2026.

“I am writing to you regarding the news of the arrest warrant issued against me during the proceedings of your esteemed Committee today, 10th June, 2026. ‘I am appalled by the issuing of the warrant,’ he wrote.

In the earlier letter he had explained that he was outside Nigeria for medical reasons and would attend the committee’s invitation upon his return.

“I also indicated my readiness to accept the Committee’s invitation when I return to Nigeria,” he said.

Kyari also said he had asked to be allowed to submit responses in writing in case his medical trip disrupted the committee’s schedule.

The former NNPC chief also denied any deliberate snub of the Senate panel, insisting that he had not received any new invitation before the warrant was issued.

“I am made to understand that your distinguished Committee directed that I appear before it in respect of matters relating to the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited during my tenure as Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer,” he said.

“However, I wish to respectfully state that I neither received nor sighted the said invitation.

He said he would have appeared gladly before the lawmakers if he had received the invitation.

“I would have been happy to accept the invitation and appear before the Committee to provide any clarification that was needed,” he added.

Kyari told the court that his present state of health made it impossible for him to appear for the hearing physically.

“I am currently out of the country receiving critical medical treatment and am therefore unable to attend in person at this time,” he said.

He was not present but told the Senate committee that he was prepared to cooperate with its investigation.

If the committee has questions, he said it should send them to his lawyers so he can respond quickly.

“In light of the above, I pray that my Counsel be provided with any questions or queries the Honourable Committee may want to raise, so that I can forthwith provide the required explanations and clarifications,” he said.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Kyari over its dissatisfaction with his absence from its proceedings.

“The panel is investigating financial issues concerning NNPC Limited and the allegations of over ₦210 trillion now before the legislature.

Senator Victor Umeh moved the motion for the issuance of the warrant, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded the motion during one of the committee’s hearings.

Kyari, meanwhile, defended his performance as the national oil company’s chief, arguing his administration brought in substantial reforms.

“I am ever grateful to my country for the opportunity given to me to serve with the highest degree of diligence and commitment,” he said.

He said that he changed the company from a loss-making entity to a profitable commercial organisation when he was the head of the NNPC.

“I believe strongly that my team and I performed creditably well under my leadership in turning Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited from a loss making entity to a profitable organisation,” he said.

He said all the transactions done when he was in office were properly documented and still available for inspection.

“Furthermore, proper records of all transactions undertaken during my tenure were duly maintained and are available in the NNPC for verification and reference,” Kyari said.

Kyari, who has repeatedly said that he respected the Senate and their constitutional oversight roles, maintained that he had nothing to hide about his stewardship of the company.

He told lawmakers he would appear before the committee as soon as he had completed his medical treatment abroad and his health condition allowed.

The former NNPC boss said his current engagement through legal representatives was meant to be a temporary measure pending his return to Nigeria, adding that he was still committed to providing every clarification required by the Senate panel.

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Many parts of Nigeria still suffer insecurity, bandit attacks and kidnappings. The Senate has said it will fast-track work on the constitutional amendments needed to create state police.

The disclosure came from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, speaking on the plans of the National Assembly to make the country’s security system stronger.

“The Senate is ready to initiate the constitutional processes for the establishment of the state police and will give the process urgent attention,” he said.

He said lawmakers are resolute to complete the legal framework needed for state policing as soon as possible to enhance security and tackle criminal activities across the country.

The development comes as many Nigerians are sounding the alarm over the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks in different states.

There are also rising calls for the decentralization of policing powers, with greater roles for state governments in tackling security challenges across their territories.

“The lawmakers are ready to fast-track legislative action on the matter as part of their efforts to support the Federal Government in tackling the country’s security challenges,” Adaramodu said.

“The Senate stands ready to immediately begin the constitutional processes for the establishment of state police.

“We will ensure that the necessary legislative action is taken to establish state police to keep Nigerians safe and secure and drive out bandits and other criminals. “The legislature is ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to confront the country’s security challenges.”

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied promising any of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators who lost in the party primaries that they would be given return tickets for the next election.

His comments were taken out of context, he said, and he only expressed concern for senators that were impacted by the results of the primaries.

No one had been promised tickets, there was no report of that.

However, his media aide, Eseme Sunday Eyiboh, denied reports that Akpabio promised senatorial tickets to losing aspirants. It said he did not approve or authorise such claims.

The statement added that the Senate President only spoke in a general discussion with his colleagues where he expressed sympathy over their situation.

It also pointed out that the leadership of the APC is already dealing with issues that arose after the primaries and that the final list of candidates will be in line with the party’s rules and guidelines.

Akpabio also said he respects party processes and will not interfere in how candidates are chosen within the party structure.

The statement partly read, “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media that the President of the Senate has promised to deliver senatorial tickets to Senators who lost their party primaries.

“We want to state categorically that this report does not represent the position of the President of the Senate. Just for the record, Senator Akpabio has not made such a promise nor has he authorised any one to make such a promise.

“What the President of the Senate actually said, in the course of interacting with his colleagues, was to empathize with senators who were negatively affected by the outcome of their primary elections.

He assured them that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was on top of all issues arising from the primaries and that the final list of candidates would be released in due course in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

“Senator Akpabio is still committed to party discipline, due process and the internal mechanisms of the APC for dispute resolution.

“He will not interfere in the autonomous processes of the party or make commitments that are beyond the purview of the National Assembly leadership.”

The post Akpabio Denies Promising APC Senators Automatic Return Tickets appeared first on TheNigerian.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s remarks, meant to comfort serving senators who lost tickets in the recently concluded party primaries, have caused anxiety among victorious aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The aspirants are worried that even if they win their primaries, the outcome could be changed in favour of the colleagues of the senate president who are incumbent senators.

Most of those raising concerns are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who fear Akpabio could use his clout within the party to secure tickets for some defeated lawmakers.

Akpabio, in his welcome address after the Senate resumed from a three-week recess, had told senators who could not secure their party tickets that the leadership of the National Assembly was still working to resolve the situation.

He congratulated successful lawmakers across party lines but lamented on the number of defeats recorded during the primaries.

“I congratulate the political parties, one or two of which have emanated from these chambers. They just finished their primaries and all their internal democratic processes. I extend my congratulations especially to those who have won their mandates to represent their parties to the next general elections.

“In this Senate we were promised we’d have very few disappointments. I do know the Senate Leader and the rest of the leadership are working very hard to address these issues. “So, in advance, congratulations to all of us, across party lines.”

After the remarks, Akpabio took senators into a closed-door executive session that lasted more than two hours.

Senators meet Tinubu, Akpabio
Daily Trust also learnt that Akpabio and other principal officers of the Senate had a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Details of the meeting were not disclosed but insiders said the talks centered on possible options for some sitting senators who lost their primaries.

The Senate leadership had said before the recess that in a number of states lawmakers would be given automatic return tickets or consensus arrangements.

But only Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North-West) and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) received automatic tickets.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, the three senators from Borno State and senators from Lagos State secured their return tickets through consensus arrangements.

40 Senators lose their tickets
According to the results announced by the party, 60 of the 105 incumbent senators were given return tickets while about 40 lost their bids.

Others who lost include Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru, Jibrin Isah, Gbenga Daniel, Ned Nwoko, Abbas Aminu Iya, Kaila Samaila Dahuwa, Titus Zam, Emmanuel Udende, William Eteng Jonah, Neda Imasuen, Danjuma Goje, Francis Ezenwa, Musa Garba, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Olajide Ipinsagba, Olubiyi Fadeyi Oluwole, Diket Plang and Ipalibo Harry Banigo.

Some senators lost after running in their state’s primaries for governor.

They are Saliu Mustapha, Abdulfatai Buhari, Shehu Buba and Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi.

Some APC primaries winners have also raised concern over the delay in the issuance of Certificates of Return.

The delay could be part of efforts to manipulate the final list of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, they said.

An anonymous successful aspirant from Kwara State said those who defeated incumbent lawmakers were becoming increasingly suspicious.

She said, “We are now suspicious of the games played by the national leadership of the party, some of us who defeated incumbent legislators at both state and national levels.

“We were told that the President is coming in to manage any crisis that might come up after the final results are out. “We’ve been worried about that ever since.”

Another successful aspirant, from Gombe State, said Akpabio’s comments needed clarification.

We cannot comment on the statement now, it is not clear. We are trying to seek clarification before we react,” he said.

APC Aites Appeal Procedure
But party officials said the delay was consistent with established procedures.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party’s primary guidelines stipulated the correct gathering of results and the settling of appeals before the winners are officially announced, said media aide Abimbola Tooki.

“The guidelines given for the conduct of the primaries were very clear and unambiguous. The results from the different levels were to be collated properly, the formal declaration of winners would only come after the appeal processes have been concluded,” Said Tooki.

He added aggrieved aspirants had the right to seek redress through party’s appeal mechanism.

But some aspirants argued that the delay had only further deepened fears that the outcome of the primaries could still be altered administratively.

They also observed that President Tinubu had been issued with his Certificate of Return immediately after winning the APC presidential primary, whereas many other winning aspirants were still waiting.

“The President has been given his Certificate of Return so why should the others be delayed? One candidate said: “The party should not give the impression that some candidates are more valid than others.”

The post Akpabio’s Plan to Support Defeated Lawmakers Sparks Tension Among APC Primary Winners appeared first on TheNigerian.

Kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio have dismissed allegations by a social media activist, Haruna Gololo, who claimed that Akpabio made inciting comments against the North ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a viral video, Haruna Garba, who is well-known on social media as Garus Gololo, accused the Senate President of disrespecting the North. He claimed that Akpabio said that “with or without the North, President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election.”

But the group, operating under the umbrella of the Isong Annang Ethnic Forum in Akwa Ibom State, in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday, defended the Senate President, saying it had investigated the claims and found the allegations to be false and orchestrated to tarnish his image.

The statement which was signed by the National President of the group, Prince Mendy Archibong; National Secretary, Elder Mfon Ebong; and National Women Leader, Hon. Emilia Udom, called on the originator of the allegation to provide proof.

“As a forum we have looked into the claims made by Gololo which he maliciously attributed to our son. We found nothing to prove our son guilty. “It is therefore expedient to state that senator Akpabio did not say anything to undermine the support and role the people of Northern Nigeria would play in the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the year 2027.” the statement said.

The group described Akpabio as a respected nationalist who understands the importance of building unity with Nigerians regardless of tribe, faith or region.

The group said, “Distinguished Senator Akpabio is a renowned nationalist with a political leadership pedigree that reflects his deep respect for the cultural and religious diversities in our country.

“He understands the expediencies of cultivating a warm, homogeneous bond of brotherhood with all Nigerians from every tribe, faith and region, despite their distinctive heterogeneity.

“His respect for the diversities of our nation predates his tenure as President of the Senate. This is evident in major and basic lifestyle choices that our son made from when he served meritoriously as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.”

The group urged the leadership of Arewa to ignore what it described as a campaign of calumny and also called on Northern elites to support the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu in the interest of justice, fairness and preservation of political cooperation between the North and South.

“The forum urges respected Arewa leaders and groups to dismiss the inciteful and divisive campaign of calumny fabricated by rampaging anti-unity propagandists who seek to sow disaffection and disharmony among ethnic groups and regions in the country especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

“For justice, fairness and for the purpose of maintaining the long history of the shared political cooperation between the North and South, the forum calls on the Northern Nigeria elites to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term in 2027 to balance the power rotation between the North and South.”

The group reiterated its support and solidarity with Tinubu and the Senate President and pledged to remain committed to mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.

“Isong Annang Ethnic Forum reiterates its unalloyed support and solidarity to President Bola Tinubu and Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio and pledges to remain faithfully committed to promote mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence between the Annang nation and other ethnic groups and regions in Nigeria,” the statement added.

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Retired Nigerian Army Major General and prominent Northern elder, Haruna Garba Gololo, popularly known as Garus Gololo, has been reportedly arrested in Abuja after criticising Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Gololo was picked up at Grand Square Supermarket in Abuja after he made comments in a viral video against Akpabio over remarks linked to the 2027 presidential election, it was reported.

The retired military officer was allegedly invited for questioning after the video went viral, sources familiar with the development told Sahara Reporters.

Akpabio’s Alleged Comment Provokes Anger
The controversy followed remarks attributed to Akpabio that President Bola Tinubu would return in 2027 “whether Northerners like it or not.”

Some Northern political stakeholders were reported to have condemned the comment.

Gololo, who in recent years has become known for his outspoken political views, was one of the Senate President’s most vocal critics.

In the viral video, Gololo accused Akpabio of disrespecting the Northern Nigerians.

He said, “Okay, good afternoon once again, my fellow Nigerians. We heard you, Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“You say, oh, the Northern vote of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or they didn’t vote that is coming back. No worries.

“What did you vote for in the last election? You win ? You get nothing. Do you carry any vote from Akwa Ibom? You don’t bring any votes with you.

You bring nothing but yourself. And the Northerners, they are the ones that put you as a Senate President. “Today you tell us, like it or not.”

Gololo insisted that Northerners had the constitutional right to say whom to support in future elections.

He said no politician could tell citizens how to vote.

“You said whether we vote Tinubu or we don’t vote Tinubu, Tinubu is coming back, and unless you leave the country, you are the one who is going to leave the country,” the retired General further said.

We are Nigerians, we are citizens. Who are you , , , The same Northerners. They give you a minister.”

Gololo Hits Akpabio –
The retired general also accused Akpabio of corruption, saying the Senate President had problems with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“When you are a criminal, you have your charges in the EFCC, in the Akwa Ibom money, and then when they give you a Niger Delta, it’s a shame for you even to be a Senate President.

“It is a shame of Akpabio. What a shame. A criminal who was prosecuted by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation. We have all the proof. You’re talking bollocks.

He further called Akpabio “worst Senate President” and “most corrupt Senate President.”

“Senate President. Worst Senate President. The most corrupt Senate President ever. Senate President condemned. The useless Senate President,” Gololo said.

Gololo said Northern voters will freely decide their political options before 2027.

“We are in Nigeria,” he said. We are Northeners. And we’re proud to be Northerners. And we will not vote Tinubu.

Get lost. We’re not able to vote for him. We are voting Atiku”. And you don’t even tell us to go away from Nigeria.

“Try it. I don’t care who you are. Who are you to tell us who to vote for or not? You’re to get out of the country.

We are not going out of Nigeria”. We are people. Senate President doesn’t make you… You’re not supposed to talk to us anyway. Anytime you talk to us anyway, I’ll talk to you anyway.”

The retired general also challenged the political relevance of Akpabio in the 2023 election.

“Did you make us vote Tinubu in 2023? We voted Tinubu. What vote did you carry from Akwa Ibom? What did you vote? What did you bring for Tinubu?” “Rubbish,” he added.

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Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ningi was said to have tendered his resignation through a letter to the PDP Chairman of Ningi Ward in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The decision, he said, was taken after wide consultations with stakeholders, associates and supporters. Ningi, who joined the PDP in 1998, had spent over 20 years in the party.

He was a two-term House of Representatives member and two-term senator on the party’s platform.

The lawmaker described the PDP as “once the largest political party in Africa”, and said it was once known for strong ideology, unity and democratic values, which enabled participatory governance.

The party’s internal leadership crisis, factional divisions and competing interests, Ningi said, had weakened the party’s unity and structure.

“It is now a great concern and worrisome to me that this virile and united platform could be turned into a ramshackle organisation with internal leadership wrangling and factional interests,” he wrote.

The senator said that leaving PDP was one of the hardest decisions of his political career. The party had given him the opportunity to serve his constituency and the country with distinction, he said.

The legislator thanked the leaders of the PDP at all levels for their support to his political career over the years.

“As I pursue my political career outside the People’s Democratic Party, please accept my best regards,” he added.

The post Senator Ningi Dumps PDP After 28 Years Of Membership appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Senate rescinded its amendment barring first-timers from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President on Thursday as controversy rages on the amendment of Senate Standing Rules.
The reversal was adopted following a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubrin Barau.
The motion he brought before the Chamber for consideration and approval is titled: “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended”.

Presenting the motion, the Leader said: “The Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026; “The Senate observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof; “The Senate notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice; “Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework; “The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.”
The earlier amendment on Tuesday required any Senator seeking to contest for presiding or principal offices to have served in the Senate for two consecutive terms adding up to eight years.
The clause excluded newly elected Senators and those who were returning after a period away, leaving eligibility to only a few ranking lawmakers, a development that stirred agitation in the Chamber.
The rule had drawn criticism from the public, with potential victims describing it as an attempt to exclude influential political figures expected to enter the Senate in 2027, such as outgoing governors and former ministers.
The amendment was criticized as reducing democratic choice and entrenching a closed caucus, but supporters said it would guarantee experienced leadership in the Senate.
The scrapping of the rule has thrown the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly open to all elected Senators irrespective of tenure.
The decision is especially important for people like Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is expected to run for Senate in 2027, despite not serving a second term as governor.
The about-face also underscores a change in the governing party toward a more competitive and inclusive process to select the next Senate leadership, instead of one that hinges on tenure restrictions to determine who qualifies.
The amendment was said to have been done following the rumour in the media space that former Senators Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege were contemplating return to the Red Chamber and would likely vie for the Senate presidency in 2027.

The post Senate Reverses New Rules After Heated Clash, Opens Leadership Positions In 11th Assembly appeared first on TheNigerian.

A major power struggle is underway in the Senate in the wake of amendments to its standing rules that could determine the leadership structure of the next National Assembly.

The intrigue has at its heart, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; and the senator representing Imo West, Osita Izunaso.

Also in the political calculations is former Edo State governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

On Tuesday the Senate revised its rules of procedure to limit the positions of principal and presiding.

Under the new rules, senators who will run for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President positions must have served in the chamber for at least eight years.

The amendment also deals with other major offices of the red chamber.

Order 4 provides that nomination for presiding offices must strictly conform to ranking, including former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former principal officers, senators who have served at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators where others are unavailable.

Order 5 further provides that no senator shall be eligible to stand for any principal office unless he has served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.

The amendment effectively disqualifies incoming senators in 2027 who were not members of both the 9th and 10th Senate to contest for Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Minority Leader and other influential positions.

Before the amendment, any ranking senator who had served for not less than four years in the National Assembly was eligible to contest for presiding offices.

The provision had kept the door open for the return of political heavyweights expected to contest seats in 2027, including Uzodimma; former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Sources told TheCable that the amendment was more of political calculation than parliamentary procedure.

One source called it a “preemptive strike against ambitious returnees, especially Uzodimma.”

Uzodimma Seeks Return To Senate
Uzodimma is reportedly eyeing a return to the Senate in 2027.

Last week, stakeholders of the APC in Imo West Senatorial District purchased and presented the ruling party’s senatorial nomination and expression of interest forms to the governor, describing him as their preferred candidate.

He is also Imo APC Senate candidate.

Uzodimma became governor of Imo State in 2020 when the Supreme Court annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha and declared him the winner of the governorship election. He represented Imo West between 2011 and 2019.

That ruling altered Imo’s electoral calendar. Uzodimma was inaugurated on January 15, 2020, months after governors were elected in the 2019 general election, thus making the state an off-cycle governorship state.

His second term began January 15, 2024 and is expected to end January 15, 2028.

Considered Placeholder Choice
The next National Assembly is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, months ahead of Uzodimma’s governorship tenure.

Insiders said the governor might consider a placeholder candidate for the Orlu Senate seat in 2027, a trusted ally who would hold the seat temporarily and surrender it after Uzodimma completes his term in January 2028.

The governor is also considering stepping down before the end of his term and handing over to his deputy for the remaining months, sources said.

Such a move would endanger Izunaso’s chances of going back to the Senate.

But the new Senate rule appears to have cut off Uzodimma’s route to the Senate presidency, even if he eventually returns to the red chamber.

Oshiomhole was said to be the only person to oppose the amendment on the Senate floor during its deliberations on Tuesday, perhaps because the new rule might affect his own ambitions as well.

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