News
Oshiomhole: If we go by new rule, Akpabio not qualified to be Senate President
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Akpabio-Oshiomhole-1-1000x600.jpg&description=Oshiomhole: If we go by new rule, Akpabio not qualified to be Senate President', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Akpabio-Oshiomhole-1-1000x600.jpg&description=Oshiomhole: If we go by new rule, Akpabio not qualified to be Senate President', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday declared that Senate President Godswill Akpabio would not qualify to occupy the position under the newly amended Senate leadership rules.
Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s tense plenary session, Oshiomhole argued that if the new requirement mandating at least eight uninterrupted years in the Senate for presiding officers is applied fairly, Akpabio himself should not be occupying the office of Senate President.
The Edo North senator accused the Senate leadership of attempting to manipulate the rules to narrow the field of contenders for future leadership positions in the upper chamber.
“Let me explain why this raises a serious moral concern. The Senate President became Minority Leader on his very first day in office during the 8th Senate. He immediately became a principal officer,” Oshiomhole said.
“Now, he is the one presiding over the Senate and asking us to change those same rules.”
The former Edo State governor maintained that Akpabio had not completed eight years in the Senate despite the amendment requiring lawmakers to serve at least two consecutive terms before contesting for presiding offices.
“As we speak today, the Senate President has not spent up to eight years in office. Even if you combine his previous tenure with the current one, it is still not up to eight years.
“So, if we pass a rule requiring anyone to spend eight consecutive years before becoming Senate President, then he should lead by example by vacating the position, because he himself did not meet that qualification before presiding,” he said.
Oshiomhole further faulted the amendment, describing it as an attempt to alter long-standing parliamentary traditions for political convenience.
“As leaders who emerged through a process, we must not make laws to favour or perpetuate anyone in office,” he said.
“Senator David Mark had the honour and privilege of serving as Senate President for eight years, not by manipulating the rules.
“The same rules that enabled David Mark to preside over the Senate for eight years — what is wrong with them? The same rules that allowed the current Senate President to contest for the office — what is wrong with them? Why change them now?”
According to Oshiomhole, the amendment was specifically designed to reduce competition for future Senate leadership contests.
“Previously, the requirement was based on one-term ranking, and he happened to be the only senator from the South-South, where the position was zoned,” he said.
“Naturally, more senators would now become eligible, which would broaden the field of competition. And now he wants to shut that out.”
The senator also insisted he was not intimidated by the controversy surrounding the amendment.
“If others are afraid, I am not afraid. The only person I fear is my Creator, because I have realised that whether you tell the truth or lies, the date of death cannot be shifted forward or backward,” he added.
The remarks came barely 24 hours after a heated confrontation between Oshiomhole and Akpabio disrupted plenary proceedings in the Senate.
The clash followed the Senate’s adoption of amendments to its standing orders after a closed-door session that lasted nearly three hours.
Under the revised rules, only senators who have completed at least two consecutive terms — amounting to eight uninterrupted years — can contest for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The amendment to Order 4 further stipulates that nominations for presiding officers must strictly follow ranking, beginning from former Senate Presidents down to second-term senators.
Order 5 also provides that only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms are eligible to contest for principal offices in the chamber.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order while Akpabio moved to confirm the votes and proceedings of the previous sitting.
Akpabio declined to recognise him, prompting the former labour leader to shout “point of order” several times even after his microphone was muted.
Efforts by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno to restore calm failed, forcing Akpabio to issue a stern warning.
“Oshiomhole, if you become unruly, we will use the rules to take you out of the Senate,” Akpabio warned during the tense exchange.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday ordered the unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and other detained leaders of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement application, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa granted the order while ruling on a motion filed on May 4, 2026.
The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024: Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo & Ors v. Federal Government of Nigeria & Ors, also has July 13, 2026, fixed for continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
The court had earlier ordered that the detained persons be produced before it, a directive which was reportedly not complied with by the military authorities.
Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, appeared alongside Andrew Ubido, Esq., while Magdalene Irorere held brief for the 3rd and 5th respondents during the proceedings.
Following the ruling, members of the Okuama community expressed relief and joy over the court’s decision.
Victor Akemor, speaking on behalf of some community members, described the ruling as a welcome development.
“This is great news. Finally, we have reason to celebrate. The court is indeed the hope of the common man,” he said.
He also called on the Delta State Government to assist in facilitating the implementation of the court order and commended community leaders and legal representatives for their efforts.
The detained individuals, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, President General of Ewu Kingdom; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Malaka; and Mabel Owhemu, have been in custody for nearly two years.
One of the detainees, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died while in detention.
The Okuama leaders were arrested by military personnel between August 18 and 19, 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers near the community.
More than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopia may soon be transferred to Nigeria as both countries conclude arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, arrived in Addis Ababa for the signing of the pact alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the agreement is scheduled to be signed on Wednesday.
She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the lengthy process of negotiations, judicial reviews and ratification of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated in a post on her X handle.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the affected Nigerians are being held.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a product of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, anchored on humanitarian considerations, justice and bilateral cooperation.
She said that while the Nigerian government continues to urge its citizens abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and protect the nation’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas are treated fairly and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
The minister added that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in bringing the agreement to fruition.
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rescheduled further hearing for June 24 in the post-conviction proceedings being conducted in the N33.8 bilion case involving former Power Minister Saleh Mamman.
By the court’s schedule, a lawyer to Mamman, Mohammed Ahmed, is to appear to explain some aspects of an affidavit he filed, in which he made some allegations against the trial judge.
Yesterday’s adjournment was informed by the claim by another lawyer, Suleiman Yakubu that Ahmed was indisposed.
The court had on May 7 convicted Mamman on all 12-count charged on which he was prosecuted and sentenced him to 75 years imprisonment in absentia.
Upon an order for his arrest and production, the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended him somewhere in Kaduna and presented him before the court on May 26.
The court directed that he should be committed to the Kuje prison where he is must serve his sentence.
Also on May 26, the prosecution informed the court about its motion for the forfeiture of some recently discovered assets allegedly acquired unlawfully by Mamman.
But, before the application could be heard, lawyer to the defendant exited the court without the notice, a development that informed an adjournment till June 8.
The recently discovered assets, according to court documents filed by the EFCC, include: Walijam Apartments, located on No.43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja and Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located at No 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State.
They include a mansion on No 11, Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; a mansion on No 13, Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A. Plaza, situated on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
On June 8, lawyer to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN) reminded the court that the business of the day for hearing of the prosecution’s motion for consequential order to forfeit some properties belonging to the convict (Mamman).
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho drew Oyedepo’s attention to a counter affidavit filed for the defendant, but which was deposed to by his other lawyer, Ahmed, who, in the affidavit, allegedly claimed that the judgment delivered on May 7 was done when the judge “became enraged.”
Oyedepo claimed not to have been served with the affidavit, following which Justice Omotosho ordered, who Yakubu, who appeared for Mamman, to give a copy to the prosecuting lawyer.
Justice Omotosho directed Ahmed, who deposed to the affidavit, should appear before his court on May 10 to provide explanation in relation to some of his averments in the affidavit he deposed to.
Ahmed was absent on May 10. Yakubu, who also appeared for the defendant, claimed Ahmed was ill.
Yakubu, who apologised for the manner he left the court on the previous date, claimed that Ahmed has been ill for some time, saying: “He has been coughing, and we don’t know if it is tuberculosis because the cough has defiled all drugs.”
He further claimed that Ahmed has gone to his village for treatment and urged the court to adjourn further hearing till the following week.
At that point, Justice Omotosho sought to know how Yakubu came to the conclusion that Ahmed suffered from tuberculosis.
Responding, Yabuku said it was because Ahmed had taken drugs and his ailments persisted, a response, that prompted prosecuting lawyer to express disappointment with the attitude of the defence lawyers.
Oyedepo said: “This is what we kept complaining about. We are counsel in the temple of justice my Lord. I don’t know when I started experiencing a bitter part of my colleagues in this matter.
“I don’t think this is proper. As it stands now, our motion is ripe for hearing.”
Oyedepo, who accused the defendant of deploying dilatory tactics, said: “these tactics will not work,” following which he agreed to an adjournment.
Trump says will attend World Cup
Court orders unconditional release of Okuama leaders
IMF questions Nigeria’s $5bn borrowing structure
-
Opinion21 hours agoPolitical Tourists Can’t Derail PDP-Akpodiete Rejects Cheap Blackmail Over Archived Photo
-
News19 hours agoTinubu orders urgent diplomatic action to bring back 300 Nigerians jailed in Ethiopia after inmates die in custody
-
News19 hours agoNCC: Telecom operators to deploy 12,000 new sites as 75m subscribers get compensation
-
News19 hours agoObi drags former political acolyte Okonkwo to court over alleged defamatory bribery claims
-
Opinion18 hours agoEPL’S SUNDERLAND AFC AS METAPHOR FOR DEVELOPMENT
-
News15 hours agoWatch moment VP Shettima arrives at venue of commissioning of Arterial RN5 Obafemi Awolowo Way today
-
News16 hours agoRed carpet reception for banned referee Artan on arrival in Somalia
-
Sports18 hours ago2026 World Cup of confusion: Protesters barricade road to stadium