Akpabio bows, makes U-turn on exclusivity of Senate Presidency to returning members

By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong

The 10th Senate presided by Senator Godswill Akpabio has on Wednesday amended Order 4 of the standing rules of the red chamber to hold that only senators currently serving in the 10th Assembly who secured re-election into the 11th Senate will qualify to vie for the Senate presidency seat and other principal positions.

The move which was viewed by Nigerian as a calculated plan to customize the leadership of the Senate and leave it in the hands of few persons was severely opposed by all.

But in the next legislative day, the Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reversed the amended Order 4 to let it open to merit and to Senators elected into the red chamber.

Senator Akpabio may have been pressurized by the presidency which political analysts say President Bola Hamed Tinubu will be pleased to have Adams Oshiomhole or the Hope Uzodinma as the President of the 11th Assembly.