By Ahmed Akanbi

Tension gripped the Senate on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Edo North, clashed over Tuesday’s amendment to the chamber’s standing rules.

Oshiomhole repeatedly tried to raise a point of order during the adoption of Tuesday’s votes and proceedings, prompting Akpabio to warn that he could be ordered out of the chamber if he failed to follow procedure.

The confrontation erupted when Akpabio got to items 194, 195 and 196 of the record, containing the amended rules on eligibility for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President. Oshiomhole immediately shouted “point of order” in an attempt to block their adoption.

Akpabio, anticipating the move, cited Order 38 of the Senate rules, which sets out eight stages of plenary from opening prayers to matters of urgent public importance, the point at which a point of order is permitted. He ruled Oshiomhole out of order.

Senator Francis Ezenwa, Imo East, intervened to suggest Oshiomhole was raising a point of privilege rather than a point of order, but Akpabio maintained it fell under step eight, not step two, which covers the adoption of votes and proceedings.

When Oshiomhole pressed again, Senate Whip Tahir Monguno, Borno North, urged him to be guided by the rules.

Frustrated by the persistence, Akpabio read out Order 20 to assert his authority.

“Let me be clear to you, distinguished Senators. Many people may not have seen this order, which is why I am reading it out,” he said.

“The Senate President is tasked with maintaining order during debates and giving rulings on points of constitutional order when they are raised. He also has a casting vote in the event of a tie, but does not vote in any other circumstance. Most importantly, he has the authority to interpret the rules, this is clearly stated.”

Akpabio stressed that senators must understand the rules before bringing contentious matters to the floor, particularly on elections. “Therefore, Senator 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 yourself with Senate rules and procedures,” he said.

The dispute centres on the amended *Order 5*, which now bars any senator from contesting a Principal Office unless they have served two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.

The provision effectively excludes senators who were not members of the 9th or current 10th Senate from vying for Presiding Officer positions in the 11th Senate in June 2027.