The Nigerian Senate has reversed its earlier amendment to the Senate Standing Orders, effectively reopening the contest for the Senate presidency and other principal leadership positions ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and was adopted during plenary under the supervision of Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
Under the now-withdrawn amendment, only senators who had served two terms, and whose second term was the immediate preceding one, were eligible to contest for principal offices in the 11th National Assembly. The rule had effectively shut out several political heavyweights from the race.
However, with the reversal, all previously excluded senators are now eligible to vie for key positions, including the Senate presidency, significantly widening the contest and intensifying political calculations ahead of 2027.
The development is expected to benefit several political actors, including governors and serving lawmakers who had been strategically positioning themselves for top legislative roles, such as Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Tensions had earlier risen in the chamber following disagreements over the amended Standing Rules, culminating in a clash between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole during plenary.
The disruption began when Akpabio attempted to proceed with the Votes and Proceedings of a previous sitting, prompting Oshiomhole to raise a point of order. The Senate President ruled him out of order, citing procedural rules that restrict interventions at that stage of proceedings.
DAILYPOST