₦airaland Forum

“You’re presiding without appropriate qualification” — Oshiomhole calls for Akpabio’s resignation

A fresh political controversy has emerged within the Nigerian Senate after Senator Adams Oshiomhole openly called for the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a proposed amendment to Senate leadership rules.

In a viral video circulating online, Oshiomhole criticised the move to amend the Senate’s standing rules, arguing that the proposal creates what he described as a “serious moral crisis” [/b]within the upper legislative chamber.

“Now, let me say why this senate has serious moral crisis,” Oshiomhole said while addressing the controversial proposal.

Speaking passionately, the former Edo State governor questioned why the Senate leadership was attempting to alter existing rules that previously produced former Senate President David Mark and also allowed Akpabio to emerge as Senate President.

According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio became a principal officer shortly after entering the Senate despite not having spent eight consecutive years in office.

[b]“He became a principal officer, minority leader,” Oshiomhole said while recounting Akpabio’s rise in the Senate.

The senator argued that any new rule demanding eight years of continuous service before becoming Senate President would automatically disqualify Akpabio himself.

“So if we pass the rules that you must do eight consecutive years before you can be senate president, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he’s presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualification,” [/b]he stated.

[b]Oshiomhole Questions Rule Change
In the video, Oshiomhole maintained that the existing Senate rules had worked effectively for years and should not be altered for personal interests.

“Those rules that enabled David Mark to preside for eight years, what is wrong with them?” he asked.

“Those rules that enabled this senate president to contest for senate presidency, what is wrong with them? Why changing it now?”

He accused the Senate leadership of attempting to manipulate regulations to narrow future competition within the chamber.

[b]“And now he wants to change it. If other people are afraid, I’m not afraid. I’m only afraid of my creator,” [/b]Oshiomhole declared.

The former labour leader also delivered an emotional closing statement that has attracted attention online.

[b]“Because I’ve seen whether you tell the lie, you tell the truth, the date of death, you can’t adjust it either forward or backward,” [/b]he added.

Senate Presidency: Oshiomhole calls for Akpabio's resignation over new rule pic.twitter.com/wDb7msXsvA

— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) May 7, 2026

I'm one of those that would be happy if akpabio is gotten rid of as senate president...


The guy is a clown and a misfit for the role.

Rules are rules and are they for a reason. But I'm also curious why oshiomole is just raising the issue now about his qualification especially after his brush/clash with the SP after almost 4 years.


Not withstanding akpabio is tibunu's errand boy and nothing would come out of this in the end because he would be protected. Especially since the oga in aso rock doesn't care about rules.


Oshiomole is a veteran politician with a strong voice in the Senate that's why he can even speak up but this will only cause noise for some time and the dust will settle down with the clown still retaining his position.


The short devil isn't fighting the cause of the common man/people... never get that part twisted.


They are all the same- bunch of selfish, theiving bumble heads with only their interests at heart!

Akpabio sha acting like God

Please, someone should explain Nigeria to me

How we packaged a renowned 'SURAJU TAILOR' and send them to REP us remain a mystery. Even that Ogun state ELEYI DAPO is warming up to go to SENATE to REP his pocket after 8 years of steady STEALI**

Oshiomole should have remained an activist…..honestly the activism still in his blood he should have use this same energy for the electoral act 😁😁😁

But Oshiomole was in the Senate and kept mum when Tinubu began walking back and altering many legislations, especially in the electoral act to give himself an advantage. E.g, decriminalising certificate forgery and age falsification as grounds for disqualification, eliminating indirect primaries and giving governors leeway to handpick candidates, etc. This is why a president must lead by example with integrity. Since the head is doing it, others slightly below the chain are also beginning to feel entitled.

Those that benefitted from a particular policy are always the ones that will block that policy after profiting from it. Akpabio benefitted from the policy he is trying to block now. Leaders who benefitted free education and healthcare have always been the first to claim these benefits are not "the birthrights" of Nigerians and that "Education is not for the poor"💔. PBAT who benefitted from mass protests against bad leaders will always be the first to oppose it and jail protesters using DSS💔. Donald Trump's ancestors were Europeans who migrated to America and he is the one fighting immigration now. Kemi Badenoch is another example of Africans whose parents migrated to UK and now fighting other Africans from coming over💔

Oshiomole has spoken and is a closer ally to the president than Akpabio, forget what you see in the media, Akpabio can't do anything against whatever Oshiomole says or does, he has 100% backing of PBAT. The days of Akpabio as senate president are numbered, I knew this the moment Oshiomole walked into the Senate, he missed being the president as a first time senator , it won't happen again.

Nigeria was a country

tobenuel:
Please, someone should explain Nigeria to me

CaptainFM1:
Starting does not mean codification. It was never a rule even with David Mark or Saraki.

Know the difference between a practice and a rule.

Speaking passionately, the former Edo State governor questioned why the Senate leadership was attempting to alter existing rules that previously produced former Senate President David Mark and also allowed Akpabio to emerge as Senate President.

oz4real83:
Oshiomole has spoken and is a closer ally to the president than Akpabio, forget what you see in the media, Akpabio can't do anything against whatever Oshiomole says or does, he has 100% backing of PBAT. The days of Akpabio as senate president are numbered, I knew this the moment Oshiomole walked into the Senate, he missed being the president as a first time senator , it won't happen again.

oshiomole will probably be the next SP if himself and emilokan come back to office in 2027

oz4real83:
Oshiomole has spoken and is a closer ally to the president than Akpabio, forget what you see in the media, Akpabio can't do anything against whatever Oshiomole says or does, he has 100% backing of PBAT. The days of Akpabio as senate president are numbered, I knew this the moment Oshiomole walked into the Senate, he missed being the president as a first time senator , it won't happen again.

He has declared his intentions from the interview, Akpawaist is in panic mode 😂😅🤣

SadiqBabaSani:
Akpabio sha acting like God

And one that talks anyhow, talks nonsense all the time

xtivin:
Oshiomole should have remained an activist…..honestly the activism still in his blood he should have use this same energy for the electoral act 😁😁😁

what is wrong with the electoral act ?…or the electoral act of obedient is different from that of other parties,someone will just carry one propaganda in your WhatsApp group and the rest of you will start chanting even without thinking

Lanretoye:
what is wrong with the electoral act ?…or the electoral act of obedient is different from that of other parties,someone will just carry one propaganda in your WhatsApp group and the rest of you will start chanting even without thinking

Electoral acts that allow accepting of any ballot paper 😁😁😁😁

Electoral act that protects a Presiding Officer if he/she rigs 😁😁

No worry e go reach everybody just chill

Lanretoye:
what is wrong with the electoral act ?…or the electoral act of obedient is different from that of other parties,someone will just carry one propaganda in your WhatsApp group and the rest of you will start chanting even without thinking

So if it’s Jonathan’s pdp that drafted this electoral act’s hurriedly like someone selling a fake item to you… you’ll buy it ?

Instead of doing something and not be fair better don’t do it

Bunch of mumu people......

brain54:
I'm one of those that would be happy if akpabio is gotten rid of as senate president...

Akpabio is not going anywhere. Nigerian politics is adversarial, hardly ever progressive, and based almost entirely on self-interest.

Meaning even when a President wants to do good then many can stand in his way because they believe his actions will take away their 'food'.

A Nigerian President needs a 100% loyal 'battering ram' Senate President who will (1)Protect him and (2) ensure he gets his way.

Akpabio is a very good SP for PBAT. He will remain SO for that reason. Same way Wike too is almost untouchable under PBAT.

brain54:
I'm one of those that would be happy if akpabio is gotten rid of as senate president...


The guy is a clown and a misfit for the role.

Rules are rules and are they for a reason. But I'm also curious why oshiomole is just raising the issue now about his qualification especially after his brush/clash with the SP after almost 4 years.


Not withstanding akpabio is tibunu's errand boy and nothing would come out of this in the end because he would be protected. Especially since the oga in aso rock doesn't care about rules.


Oshiomole is a veteran politician with a strong voice in the Senate that's why he can even speak up but this will only cause noise for some time and the dust will settle down with the clown still retaining his position.


The short devil isn't fighting the cause of the common man/people... never get that part twisted.


They are all the same- bunch of selfish, theiving bumble heads with only their interests at heart!

I agree absolutely

AMINDA:
But Oshiomole was in the Senate and kept mum when Tinubu began walking back and altering many legislations, especially in the electoral act to give himself an advantage. E.g, decriminalising certificate forgery and age falsification as grounds for disqualification, eliminating indirect primaries and giving governors leeway to handpick candidates, etc. This is why a president must lead by example with integrity. Since the head is doing it, others slightly below the chain are also beginning to feel entitled.

You lack knowledge, try fix that

WizardOfNG:
Akpabio is not going anywhere. Nigerian politics is adversarial, hardly ever progressive, and based almost entirely on self-interest.

Meaning even when a President wants to do good then many can stand in his way because they believe his actions will take away their 'food'.

A Nigerian President needs a 100% loyal 'battering ram' Senate President who will (1)Protect him and (2) ensure he gets his way.

Akpabio is a very good SP for PBAT. He will remain SO for that reason. Same way Wike too is almost untouchable under PBAT.

I don't see bat trading Senate presidency to anyone except akpabio. It's just distraction

tobenuel:
Please, someone should explain Nigeria to me

Nigeria is like ZeeWorld, extraordinary everyday

Kdon2:
I don't see bat trading Senate presidency to anyone except akpabio. It's just distraction

Nothing PBAT wants that Akpabio does not ensure he gets. Tinubu values him.

fregeneh:
oshiomole will probably be the next SP if himself and emilokan come back to office in 2027

How can oshiomole become the Senate president under the aberation of rules....


Which he is now challenging?

WizardOfNG:
Nothing PBAT wants that Akpabio does not ensure he gets. Tinubu values him.

Yeah. You don't throw away a sure deal for uncertainty especially in Nigeria politics. I believe baba is smarter than that

If I talk waytin dey my mind, Una go talk say how he take relate to the topic on ground, but I go just dey observe like election observer, the truth go soon dey expose.
Akpabio Vs Oshiomole, this movie go tough.

Kdon2:
Yeah. You don't throw away a sure deal for uncertainty especially in Nigeria politics. I believe baba is smarter than that

Indeed. We talk about democracy yet Nigerian politicians don't believe in that nor practice it. Many came into office for selfish reasons meaning they are always ready to swallow anyone standing in their way if they can destroy or dominate them.

This is why at the highest level (President or Governor) you cannot be weak nor take prisoners. Tinubu must move with a tight crew that cannot be compromised. To include, most importantly, a leader of the legislative arm 100% loyal to him.

For example, what PBAT is doing to El Rufai is what must be done to show two important things. (1) Tinubu is a strong and authoritative President of the biggest black nation on Earth.

(2) A Southern Presidency under a Yoruba can put Fulanis, who believe they own Nigeria, in their place to redefine Nigeria and make her a nation that can move forward under modern and meritorious principles of leadership.

Tinubu, who understands Nigerian politics very well, has done his homework to dominate the legislature so that he can't be compromised or undermined by that arm of Governance North always wish to dominate because they have greater representation of numbers in our legislative arm.

People forget the born-to-rule North made the effort to control the Senate through the effort of Senator Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari to be Senate President instead of Akpabio.

They began gaslighting talk of "Southerners trying to dominate all arm of governance" conveniently forgetting that is what North did with Buhari as President and Lawan as SP.

The hawkish North tried to checkmate Tinubu through gaining control of the legislative arm of Government so PBAT does not have free hand determining the direction of Nigeria.

Tinubu made sure his man carried the day and is enjoying the benefit of that today.

Nigerians politics, underground, is war for leaders even as they smile with each other publicly. These are the reality of our politics ordinary Nigerians cannot understand but leaders, at the highest level, must deal with or be defeated and relegated like GEJ.

This is because controlling ultimate power, at the "winner takes all" end of things, means you can literally arrogate billions of dollars to yourself in seconds without any opposition whatsoever.

The mentality of our President therefore matters immensely. He must not be weak and must be ready to take down monsters also. Yet he must be able to work to move Nigeria forward. A tricky balance to achieve ordinary Nigerians won't understand.

I believe Tinubu , since 1999, has the best mix of qualities and leadership talent, given the complexity of ethno-religiously feudal Nigerian politics, to get us moving in the right direction.

The senator argued that any new rule demanding eight years of continuous service before becoming Senate President would automatically disqualify Akpabio himself.

"So if we pass the rules that you must do eight consecutive years before you can be senate president, it means he has to lead by example by vacating because he’s presiding without acquiring the appropriate qualification,” [

The Senate President Godswill Akpabio is actually right for pegging it at 8 years of continuous service before becoming a senate president.. If I were the one, I would make it 12 years...

If you have been in the house for 12 years, you'll know the house rules

brain54:
How can oshiomole become the Senate president under the aberation of rules....


Which he is now challenging?

has the new rules been passed yet? They're still debating it and I don't think it will scale through people like oshiomole won't allow it.