- Safiu Kehinde
A clash had ensued between Senate President Godswil Akpabio and the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Sen. Adams Oshiomole.
Akpabio and Oshiomole had at the red chamber’s plenary session on Wednesday engaged in heated argument with the Senate President threatening to take the former Edo state governor out of the chamber.
The cause of the argument was reportedly linked to a proceeding over the forthcoming 2027 Senate Presidency.
The heated argument captured in a video shared on X showed a visibly enraged Oshiomole accusing Akpabio of violating the Senate rules.
“You as presiding officer you have to obey the rules. If you break the rules there is a step.
“And you can’t deny me under rules of the Senate.” He said before his mic got disabled with Akpabio directive the Chief Whip to approach the Edo lawmaker.
Oshiomole however continued with his argument as Akpabio called on the lawmakers to know the rules guiding the Senate while ruling the former Edo governor out of order.
“People have been in this chamber for three years now. We should begin to know the rules of the Senate. I don’t want to be accused of executive arrogance. That is why I keep tolerating these things.
“Please, there is no new Senator any longer. Let us try our best to abide by the rules here.
“If you are a policeman, you must wear police uniform. If you are soldier, you must wear the army uniform. If you are Senator, you must go by the rules.
“So, you are ruled out of order.” The Senate President said.
Oshiomole however fired back at Akpabio as he insisted that the plenary cannot proceed with the adoption of proceedings that does not reflect what was agreed, adding that the Chief Whip has no right to prevent him from making corrections on the proceedings.
“You cannot proceed to adopt proceedings that does not reflect what was agreed. That is the point I’m making Mr. President and I don’t need to be educated on it.
“The Chief Whip does not have the right to deny me the right to correct proceedings.” He said.
Reacting, Akpabio read the Order 20 (f) of the Senate rule which entrusted him with the right to interprete the rules.
He thereafter threatened to invoke the rules and take Oshiomole out of the Senate as the Edo lawmaker kept interrupting him.
“Distinguished Senators, we shouldn’t just go home, fill form, contest election, come here without knowing anything about the rules.
“Order 20 (f) says that Senate President shall interprete the rules. I didn’t write.
“Please Senator Oshiomole, for the last time, if you become unruly in the Senate, we will use these same rules to take you out of the Senate. This is the last warning.” Akpabio said.