Senate reverses rule requiring senators-elect to take oath before choosing presiding officers
The senate has rescinded a controversial clause in its standing orders that required senators-elect to take their oath of office before participating in the election of presiding officers.
The motion for rescission and recommittal was moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary on Thursday.
According to the red chamber, the provision introduced under Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the amended standing rules could create “constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions” with Section 52 of the 1999 Constitution.
The senate said the reversal was necessary to align its procedures with constitutional provisions, parliamentary conventions and established legislative practice.
The now-rescinded amendment had altered the traditional process by mandating newly elected senators in the 11th senate to elect a senate president only after taking their oath of allegiance and oath of membership.
Under the amendment, the clerk to the national assembly was expected to administer the oath after roll call and confirmation of election writs.
Order 3(1) had further stated that a senator-elect could not participate in any senate proceedings, including voting for the election of the senate president and deputy senate president, until sworn in.
With the reversal, the senate has returned to the previous procedure where senators-elect can participate in electing presiding officers before taking their oath of office.
Reacting during plenary, Adams Oshiomhole said the development showed the importance of allowing debate before amendments are passed.
“This shows that when there are amendments, the next time, we should allow debate. That’s it,” he said after raising a point of order.
Oshiomhole had earlier clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the amendments adopted on Wednesday.
Responding, Bamidele accused the Edo North senator of creating “unnecessary drama” on the senate floor.
“We are not going to allow this to continue,” the senate leader said, citing Order 52(6) of the senate standing rules.
He said any senator dissatisfied with the amendment should have brought a substantive motion before the chamber instead of repeatedly challenging the decision during proceedings.
Background
On Tuesday, the senate amended its standing rules to restrict eligibility for presiding and principal offices to senators who have served at least two consecutive terms immediately before nomination.
The amendment meant that only senators currently serving in the 10th senate and re-elected into the 11th senate in 2027 would qualify to contest for the positions of senate president and deputy senate president.
The move sparked speculation that it was aimed at preventing the return of former senators such as Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege from contesting for the senate presidency in 2027.
Before the amendment, any ranking senator who had spent at least four years in the chamber was eligible to contest for presiding offices.
