“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” 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.
“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,” he stated.
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.
“And now he wants to change it. If other people are afraid, I’m not afraid. I’m only afraid of my creator,” Oshiomhole declared.
The former labour leader also delivered an emotional closing statement that has attracted attention online.
“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,” he added.
Watch the video here….
Senate Presidency: Oshiomhole calls for Akpabio's resignation over new rule pic.twitter.com/wDb7msXsvA
— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) May 7, 2026