The Senate has rescinded its recent amendment to the Standing Orders governing the election of principal officers, a move that effectively restores the rights of all elected senators to participate in leadership contests in the National Assembly.
The reversal, approved during plenary on Thursday, followed concerns that the earlier amendment could trigger constitutional disputes and heighten political tension within the Red Chamber ahead of future leadership contests, including the anticipated race for Senate President in 2027.
The motion for reconsideration was moved by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who explained that a further review of the amended provisions revealed possible inconsistencies with constitutional requirements.
According to Bamidele, the changes earlier introduced to Section 2, Subsection 2, and Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Standing Orders may inadvertently restrict the rights of elected lawmakers and create avoidable controversies within the legislature.
With the latest decision, all senators-elect who are duly returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can now participate in the election of presiding officers, regardless of whether they have taken the Oath of Office and Allegiance before the commencement of proceedings.
The session was presided over by Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, who supervised the adoption of the motion by the chamber.
The Senate had earlier amended its rules to state that only lawmakers who had taken the oath contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution would be permitted to take part in proceedings, including voting during the election of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The earlier amendment generated heated debate among lawmakers and sparked concerns over its potential implications for internal democracy within the Senate.
Tension resurfaced during Thursday’s plenary when former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, raised a point of order in a bid to clarify remarks he made during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Oshiomhole had previously argued that lawmakers should not be prevented from freely expressing their opinions on issues before the chamber, a position that reportedly led to a disagreement between him and the Senate leadership.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau ruled him out of order, maintaining that the matter had already been settled by the chamber and did not require further debate.
Backing the ruling, Senate Leader Bamidele cited relevant Senate procedures and advised that any additional grievances should be formally presented through a substantive motion rather than prolonged floor exchanges.
He also cautioned Oshiomhole against what he described as unnecessary “drama” during plenary, referencing the exchanges that occurred in the Senate a day earlier.
Political observers believe the reversal may ease tensions within the upper legislative chamber while reopening opportunities for broader participation in future National Assembly leadership contests.
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