Tension flared in the Senate on Wednesday following a heated exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Adams Oshiomhole over amendments to the chamber’s standing rules.

The clash occurred during plenary as lawmakers considered the adoption of Tuesday’s votes and proceedings, which included changes to rules governing eligibility for Senate leadership positions.

Oshiomhole repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order to challenge the adoption, but Akpabio ruled him out of order, citing procedural guidelines under Order 38. The Senate President maintained that such interventions were only permissible at a later stage of proceedings.

Efforts by Francis Ezenwa to recast the intervention as a point of privilege were also dismissed, with Akpabio insisting the matter did not fall within the current stage of deliberation.

Despite further attempts by Oshiomhole to press his objection, Senate Whip Tahir Monguno urged him to adhere to the chamber’s rules.

A visibly firm Akpabio then invoked Order 20, emphasising his authority to maintain order and interpret Senate rules, warning that he could order Oshiomhole’s removal if he failed to comply.

“Let me state it clearly… I can use this rule to take you out of the chamber if you are not ready to comport yourself with Senate rules and procedures,” Akpabio said.

At the centre of the dispute is an amendment to Order 5, which stipulates that only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms will be eligible to contest for principal offices, including Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The provision effectively excludes first-term lawmakers and those absent from recent assemblies from contesting leadership positions in the 11th Senate expected in 2027.