BREAKING: Senate Reverses Controversial Standing Rules Amendment

Senate has reversed controversial standing rules amendment and reopened contest for top leadership positions ahead of 2027 general elections.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday reversed its controversial amendment to the Standing Orders, a move that is expected to reopen the contest for key leadership positions in the incoming 11th National Assembly.

 

The earlier amendment had limited eligibility for principal offices to ranking senators, effectively shutting out first-time lawmakers and several incoming political heavyweights from contesting positions such as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, and other strategic offices.

 

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The reversal followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and adopted during plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.

 

Under the now-reversed amendment, only senators who had served two terms including one immediate preceding term before nomination were qualified to contest for principal offices in the Senate.

 

With the decision overturned, lawmakers who were previously excluded can now participate in the race for the Senate presidency and other leadership positions ahead of the inauguration of the next National Assembly.

 

The development followed tensions on the Senate floor involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the interpretation of the amended Standing Rules.

 

The disagreement began during plenary after Akpabio started reading the Votes and Proceedings from Tuesday’s sitting. Oshiomhole raised a point of order but was ruled out of order by the Senate President, who cited provisions in the 2023 Standing Rules that prohibit points of order during that stage of proceedings.

 

The Senate’s latest decision has now revived political calculations within the chamber, with renewed jostling expected among serving and incoming senators eyeing top offices in the 11th National Assembly.