The reversal of the controversial amendment has effectively handed Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) a major victory, reopening the race for leadership positions in the 11th National Assembly that had been seemingly closed to him just 24 hours earlier .
The drama began on Wednesday when the Senate President attempted to read the Votes and Proceedings adopting the amended rules, which restricted principal offices to senators who had served two consecutive terms . Oshiomhole, a first-term senator, repeatedly raised points of order to block the adoption, leading to a tense confrontation with Akpabio .
The Point of Order DisputeSenate President Godswill Akpabio refused to grant Oshiomhole’s request, citing Order 38 of the Senate rules, which prohibits points of order during the adoption of Votes and Proceeding.
Akpabio warned Oshiomhole: “Let me state it finally that I can use this rule to take you out of the chamber if you are not ready to comport with the Senate rules and procedures” .
On Thursday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to rescind the amendment, arguing that certain provisions conflicted with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Section 52 .
Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau, who presided over the session, described the reversal as necessary for constitutional compliance .
Oshiomhole’s Response Following the reversal, Oshiomhole criticized the manner in which the initial amendments were rushed through, stating: “The way we rushed the rules, because certain people wanted certain things concluded, is one flaw to this process. Next time, we should allow for robust debates” .
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