Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the Edo North senator argued that the current Senate Standing Order disqualifies Akpabio from occupying the position.
Oshiomhole backed the position earlier expressed by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN, regarding the amendment to the Senate Standing Order, insisting that the issue remains unresolved.
According to him, Akpabio previously served one term in the Senate, lost his re-election bid, later became a minister, and eventually returned to the Senate before emerging as Senate President again.
“If you combine his previous term with the current one, he still has not completed eight years in the Senate. If eight years is the minimum requirement, then Senator Akpabio is not qualified to preside,” Oshiomhole stated.
He further argued that if Akpabio assumed office in error, the mistake should be corrected, adding that the use of the word “consecutively” in the rule effectively limits the Senate President’s ranking qualification to three years.
Oshiomhole also criticised such legal provisions, saying they encourage dictatorship across Africa.
Meanwhile, the former Edo State governor also exchanged light banter with Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni during the interview.
While responding to questions on the programme, Oshiomhole jokingly accused Oseni of always targeting him during interviews on the station’s Morning Show.
“You fight me every day. I watch you, and you do one-sided punching. I’m like, one day, we will meet,” he said jokingly during the discussion.