There was a confrontation between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, during the plenary on Wednesday over what is described as unruly behaviour from the former Governor of Edo State.
Bellnews reports that during the confrontation between the two lawmakers, Akpabio threatened to remove Oshiomhole from the Senate if he failed to comply with the upper chamber’s rules.
Prior to the caution from Akpabio, Oshiomhole had repeatedly disrupted plenary, as he persistently shouted “Point of Order” while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.
The tense exchange is seen as a continuation of an earlier clash between both lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday, as the Senate President dismissed a call from Oshiomhole for Nigeria to take retaliatory measures against South Africa due to the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
The face-off between the two Senators is also seen in some quarters as a power struggle ahead of the race for the Senate Presidency in 2027.
On Wednesday, trouble began at the commencement of plenary when Oshiomhole repeatedly interjected, drawing the attention of the presiding officer to amended Senate rules.
In response, Akpabio called on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to guide his colleague on the Senate’s Standing Rules.
Kalu, in his remarks, described Oshiomhole’s conduct as “tautological,” but the interruptions persisted.
Akpabio then cautioned the former Edo State governor, stating, “If you are a soldier, you behave like a soldier. If you are a police officer, you behave like a police officer. So if you are a senator, you must go by the rules.”
He subsequently ruled Oshiomhole out of order, declaring, “Senator Oshiomhole, you are ruled out of order.”
However, Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.
The Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, also intervened, warning of possible disciplinary action.
“Senator Oshiomhole, be guided, otherwise I will invoke the powers of the office of the Chief Whip against you,” Monguno cautioned.
Akpabio reinforced the warning, telling Oshiomhole: “If you become unruly, I will take you out of the Senate.”
Following the series of warnings, Oshiomhole appeared to back down and the day’s proceedings in the Senate continued.