Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has challenged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to set an example by stepping down from his position as head of the National Assembly.
Oshiomhole argued that Akpabio has not spent up to eight years in the Senate, questioning the push to amend Senate Standing Rules to prevent first-term lawmakers from emerging as principal officers.
The former Edo State governor made the remarks while reacting to the controversial proposal aimed at restricting leadership positions in the Senate to ranking lawmakers.
Speaking with journalists, Oshiomhole said democracy thrives on transparency and accountability, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know the lawmakers behind efforts to limit leadership opportunities within the Senate.
He pointed out that Akpabio himself became a principal officer during his first term in the 8th Senate when he served as Minority Leader, adding that it would be unfair to now change the rules against newer senators.
Oshiomhole further noted that Akpabio has not completed eight years in the Senate even when his previous and current tenures are combined. According to him, if such a rule is eventually adopted, the Senate President should “lead by example” by vacating the office because he would not meet the qualification.
He also criticized the proposed amendment as an attempt by political leaders to create laws that favour themselves and restrict future leadership opportunities.