By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Senate has reversed its recent amendment to the Standing Orders on the election of presiding officers, a move that could reopen the contest for key leadership positions in the 11th National Assembly ahead of 2027.
The decision followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during Thursday’s plenary.
Bamidele explained that the amendment introduced earlier to Section 2, Subsection 2, and Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Senate rules could create constitutional inconsistencies and unnecessary tensions after further legislative review.
With the reversal, all duly elected senators are now eligible to participate in the election of Senate principal officers without first taking the Oath of Office and Allegiance.
The resolution was adopted during plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.
The earlier amendment had restricted participation in Senate proceedings, including voting for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, to only senators-elect who had taken the constitutional oath prescribed in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
The issue sparked tension in the chamber after Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised a point of order to clarify his position following a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Oshiomhole maintained that lawmakers should not be prevented from expressing their views on issues before the Senate.
However, Barau ruled him out of order, stating that the matter had already been resolved by the chamber.
Bamidele also cited Senate rules, insisting that any further concerns should be presented through a substantive motion rather than prolonged debate on the floor.
He further urged Oshiomhole to avoid what he described as “drama” in the Senate chamber, referencing the heated exchanges that disrupted plenary the previous day.
The reversal is expected to fuel fresh political calculations within the Senate, particularly regarding possible leadership contests ahead of the 2027 political cycle.