Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign following the recent amendment to the Senate Standing Orders governing the emergence of principal officers in the Red Chamber.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Oshiomhole criticized the revised rules, describing them as ethically troubling and politically unfair.
According to the Edo North lawmaker, the amendment introduces standards that could eventually disqualify even the current Senate leadership.
The former Edo State governor argued that the newly introduced requirement — which mandates senators to complete at least two uninterrupted terms before contesting for top Senate positions — creates a contradiction because Akpabio himself may not satisfy the condition.
Oshiomhole pointed out that the Senate President did not spend up to eight years in the Senate when his previous and current tenures are combined.
He maintained that it would be unjust for individuals who rose to leadership under less restrictive rules to later tighten the conditions in a way that shuts out other lawmakers.
He warned against altering regulations for political convenience after benefiting from the previous system.
According to him, the amendment raises serious concerns about fairness, consistency, and moral responsibility within the Senate.
Oshiomhole noted that Akpabio became Senate Minority Leader during his first term and eventually rose to become Senate President under the old arrangement.
He argued that if the new qualification rules are to be applied strictly, the Senate President should “lead by example.”
The senator also referenced former Senate President David Mark, who led the upper chamber for eight years under earlier guidelines.
He questioned why the Senate leadership now seeks to impose tougher eligibility requirements that could significantly narrow the field of contenders for principal offices.
The controversy comes days after lawmakers approved amendments to the Senate Standing Orders, a move that has sparked heated debate within the National Assembly.
Under the revised rules, only senators who have served two consecutive terms will be eligible to contest for positions such as Senate President and other key leadership roles in the 11th National Assembly.
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The development has reportedly deepened divisions among senators, with critics alleging that the amendment was hurriedly introduced to limit competition ahead of the 2027 political calculations.