A major power struggle is underway in the Senate in the wake of amendments to its standing rules that could determine the leadership structure of the next National Assembly.
The intrigue has at its heart, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; and the senator representing Imo West, Osita Izunaso.
Also in the political calculations is former Edo State governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
On Tuesday the Senate revised its rules of procedure to limit the positions of principal and presiding.
Under the new rules, senators who will run for the Senate President and Deputy Senate President positions must have served in the chamber for at least eight years.
The amendment also deals with other major offices of the red chamber.
Order 4 provides that nomination for presiding offices must strictly conform to ranking, including former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former principal officers, senators who have served at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators where others are unavailable.
Order 5 further provides that no senator shall be eligible to stand for any principal office unless he has served at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.
The amendment effectively disqualifies incoming senators in 2027 who were not members of both the 9th and 10th Senate to contest for Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip, Minority Leader and other influential positions.
Before the amendment, any ranking senator who had served for not less than four years in the National Assembly was eligible to contest for presiding offices.
The provision had kept the door open for the return of political heavyweights expected to contest seats in 2027, including Uzodimma; former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
Sources told TheCable that the amendment was more of political calculation than parliamentary procedure.
One source called it a “preemptive strike against ambitious returnees, especially Uzodimma.”
Uzodimma Seeks Return To Senate
Uzodimma is reportedly eyeing a return to the Senate in 2027.
Last week, stakeholders of the APC in Imo West Senatorial District purchased and presented the ruling party’s senatorial nomination and expression of interest forms to the governor, describing him as their preferred candidate.
He is also Imo APC Senate candidate.
Uzodimma became governor of Imo State in 2020 when the Supreme Court annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha and declared him the winner of the governorship election. He represented Imo West between 2011 and 2019.
That ruling altered Imo’s electoral calendar. Uzodimma was inaugurated on January 15, 2020, months after governors were elected in the 2019 general election, thus making the state an off-cycle governorship state.
His second term began January 15, 2024 and is expected to end January 15, 2028.
Considered Placeholder Choice
The next National Assembly is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027, months ahead of Uzodimma’s governorship tenure.
Insiders said the governor might consider a placeholder candidate for the Orlu Senate seat in 2027, a trusted ally who would hold the seat temporarily and surrender it after Uzodimma completes his term in January 2028.
The governor is also considering stepping down before the end of his term and handing over to his deputy for the remaining months, sources said.
Such a move would endanger Izunaso’s chances of going back to the Senate.
But the new Senate rule appears to have cut off Uzodimma’s route to the Senate presidency, even if he eventually returns to the red chamber.
Oshiomhole was said to be the only person to oppose the amendment on the Senate floor during its deliberations on Tuesday, perhaps because the new rule might affect his own ambitions as well.
