Akpabio is Senate President By Error – Oshiomhole

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has argued that the emergence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio happened “by error,” insisting that the current Senate rules disqualify him from holding the position

Oshiomhole made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, where he also maintained that the existing Senate Standing Order does not support Akpabio’s continued leadership of the chamber.

Akpabio is Senate President by error – Oshiomhole

He backed the position of Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, on the amendment of the Senate Standing Order, stressing that the controversy surrounding the issue is far from settled.


According to him, Akpabio’s legislative history raises questions about eligibility for the office of Senate President. He noted that the Senate President previously served a four-year term, failed in his reelection bid, later served as a minister, and has now returned to the Senate in the current assembly.

“If you add his first term to his current term, he still has not served 8 years. If 8 years is the minimum requirement, Sen. Akpabio does not qualify to preside because he has not met it.

“If he assumed the role in error, that error must be corrected. Also, the word “consecutively” effectively reduces the Senate President’s term to three years for ranking purposes.

“These kinds of laws are what breed dictatorship in Africa,” Oshiomhole said.