Adams Oshiomhole has stirred fresh debate within Nigeria’s political space after claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged as leader of the Red Chamber “by error.”

Speaking during an appearance on [ARISE News] Morning Show on Tuesday, the senator representing Edo North argued that the current Senate Standing Order does not support Akpabio’s continued stay as Senate President.

Oshiomhole backed the position earlier expressed by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, insisting that the controversy surrounding the Senate rules amendment remains unresolved.

According to the former Edo State governor, Akpabio’s previous years in the Senate do not satisfy the minimum ranking requirement needed to occupy the office of Senate President.

“The current Senate President completed a four-year term, lost re-election, became a minister, and later returned to the Senate before emerging Senate President again,” Oshiomhole stated.

He further argued that combining Akpabio’s previous tenure with his current one still falls short of the eight-year threshold he believes is required under the rules.

“If he became Senate President in error, then that error should be corrected,” he said, adding that the use of the word “consecutively” in the Standing Order weakens the tenure structure and creates room for abuse.

Oshiomhole also criticised the nature of such political provisions, warning that laws of that nature could encourage authoritarian tendencies within democratic institutions.

Oshiomhole Teases Rufai Oseni During Live Interview

During the same interview, Oshiomhole exchanged playful banter with veteran broadcaster Rufai Oseni, accusing the television host of frequently targeting him during interviews on the Morning Show.

“You fight me every day. I watch you,” Oshiomhole joked during the live exchange. “You do one-sided punching and I’m like, one day, we will see.”

The moment sparked laughter in the studio as both men continued the conversation in a lighter mood.