Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) demanded the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday, May 8, 2026 [1].
The confrontation highlights a deepening rift within Nigeria's legislative leadership over the rules governing the election of presiding and principal officers.
Oshiomhole made the demand in the Senate chamber in Abuja, citing a moral crisis resulting from recent amendments to the Senate Standing Orders [2]. He said the changes were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution [3]. According to Oshiomhole, the nature of these amendments created a situation that necessitated the Senate President's departure from office [3].
The dispute centers on the Standing Orders, which regulate how the Senate selects its leadership. Oshiomhole said the amendments undermined the integrity of the legislative process [2]. This public clash follows a period of tension between the two political figures.
Reports indicate a volatile atmosphere within the chamber during the exchange. In a separate incident earlier this week, Akpabio said, "I will take you out of the Senate" [4].
While the demand for resignation was made public on May 8, 2026 [1], some reports suggest the confrontation began as early as Wednesday, May 6 [4]. The Senate eventually moved to reverse the controversial rule changes following the outcry [5].
“"I will take you out of the Senate"”
The clash between Oshiomhole and Akpabio reflects a broader struggle for procedural control within the Nigerian Senate. By challenging the Standing Orders, Oshiomhole is targeting the legal mechanisms that solidify the Senate President's power, suggesting that the legitimacy of the leadership depends on strict adherence to constitutional norms rather than internal rule changes.
