Senate Reverses Leadership Rule, Throwing 2027 Senate President Race Wide Open

Abuja, Nigeria – In a stunning about-face, the Senate has reversed its recent amendment to the Standing Orders—reopening the contest for presiding officers ahead of the 2027 Senate President election.

What changed (and then changed back):

Two days ago, the Senate amended its rules to allow only senators-elect who had taken the Oath of Office to vote for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

Today, that rule is dead.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele sponsored the reversal motion, arguing that the amendment could create “constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions.”

Nigeria Senate Plenary session 2023 photo credit Tope Brown

The floor fight:

Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised a point of order to clarify his earlier position—which had triggered a disagreement with the Senate President on Wednesday—that lawmakers should not be prevented from expressing their views.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau ruled him out of order. Bamidele then urged Oshiomhole not to continue what he called “drama” on the Senate floor.

What happens now:

All duly elected senators are once again eligible to participate in the election of presiding officers—no oath required beforehand.

Bottom Line: The 2027 Senate President race just got a lot more interesting. And the Senate just proved it can reverse itself almost as fast as it can legislate.

Written by Boom RadioNG