Senate makes U-turn, rescinds decision on election of Senate President

By Haruna Salami

The Senate at its plenary on Thursday resolved to rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to its Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.
The amendment which took place on Tuesday May 5, 2026 has to do with the first sitting of the Senate to allow senators-elect to be sworn in before they can elect the principal officers contrary to what exists today which allows the Clerk to the National Assembly preside over the election of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President and the Senate President then swears in the others.
However, the other amendment aimed at reserving the position of Senate President and other principal officers exclusively for members of the 10th Senate, which created tension in the red chamber Tuesday, particularly between Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) remains.
On Thursday a motion for “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, (Ekiti Central-Senate Leader).
The Senate observed that “upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof.
“Notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice.
“Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework”.
As soon as the Senate reversed itself, Senator Adams Oshiomhole advised his colleagues to always allow debates before critical decisions are arrived, blaming the mistake in the Tuesday amendment on the hurried manner the exercise was handled.
Oshiomhole’s comments did not go well with the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele who raised a point of order to express his displeasure.
He said they were all in the chamber and witnessed the kind of drama that went on even though it was “totally unnecessary”. But the unfortunate thing about that drama was that regardless of what was done in this hallowed chamber yesterday, what became the news was that unnecessary drama. We are not going to allow this to continue”.
Opeyemi said Order 52 (6) on rules of debate, which simply says that it shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to the conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for recession.
“So, if the Senate has come to the conclusion that the distinguished Senator Adams Ali Oshiomhole had any problem with the decisions that were taken with respect to the amendment two days ago, what he was expected to do was to bring a substantive motion for a recession to be debated on the floor of this parliament.
“We cannot allow this kind of drama to go on every time on the floor of this senate. We must put a stop to it. As the leader of this Senate, I had an issue with what was passed. We discussed it at the leadership level and I was going to bring the motion for recession, which we just considered.
“Senator Adams Oshiomhole could have done that regarding any other aspect of this amendment if you have problem with it. This drama must stop because it’s not helping the image of this institution. This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over Thursday plenary sustained the point of order raised by the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).