A confrontation during the plenary on Wednesday between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole over what is described as unruly behaviour from the former Governor of Edo State.
It was reported that during the faceoff between the two lawmakers, Akpabio threatened to remove Oshiomhole from the Senate if he failed to obey the rules of the upper chamber.
Before Akpabio’s caution, Oshiomhole repeatedly interrupted plenary by consistently shouting “Point of Order” while Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.
The tense exchange is viewed as a continuation of an earlier clash between both lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday, when the Senate President rejected a call from Oshiomhole for Nigeria to take retaliatory measures against South Africa over the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
Some quarters also see the face-off between the two senators as a power struggle ahead of the race for the Senate Presidency in 2027.
Trouble started on Wednesday at the plenary when Oshiomhole made several interruptions, calling the attention of the presiding officer to the amended rules of the Senate.
In response, Akpabio urged Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to guide his colleague on the Standing Rules of the Senate.
Kalu, in his remarks, described Oshiomhole’s conduct as “tautological,” but the interruptions continued.
Akpabio then warned the former governor of Edo State, saying, “If you are a soldier, act like a soldier. If you are a police officer you act like a police officer. “So if you are a senator, you have to follow the rules.”
“Senator Oshiomhole, you are ruled out of order.” He later ruled Oshiomhole out of order.
But Oshiomhole continued to speak from his seat, insisting on being recognised.
Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno also stepped in, 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 warned.
Akpabio reiterated the warning, telling Oshiomhole: “If you become unruly, I will take you out of the Senate.”
After the series of warnings, Oshiomhole seemed to back down and the day’s proceedings in the Senate continued.
