The Nigerian Senate has reversed its controversial amendment barring first-term lawmakers from contesting for key presiding offices, reopening the race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President ahead of the 11th National Assembly leadership contest.
The dramatic U-turn effectively restores eligibility for all elected senators, regardless of tenure, to vie for top leadership positions in the Red Chamber.
The decision followed widespread criticism that the amended Senate Standing Orders conflicted with provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate rescinded the amendment during plenary through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and presided over by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
The motion, titled “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended,” was adopted through a voice vote.
The earlier amendment, introduced after a marathon executive session earlier in the week, had restricted eligibility for Senate President and other principal offices to only returning senators from the current Assembly, effectively shutting out first-term lawmakers.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele said further constitutional and legislative review revealed that aspects of the amendment could create constitutional inconsistencies.
According to him, the Constitution clearly permits senators-elect to participate in the election of presiding officers before taking their oaths.
“The Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on May 5, 2026. Upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies,” he said.
Sources within the National Assembly reportedly linked the reversal to mounting pressure on the Senate leadership following public backlash and concerns over the legality of the amendment.
Deputy Senate President Barau described the motion as “straightforward,” stating that the Senate merely acted to align its rules with constitutional provisions.
Reacting after the reversal, Senator Adams Oshiomhole criticised the handling of the initial amendment and called for broader consultation on sensitive legislative matters.
Bamidele, however, condemned what he described as “unnecessary drama” surrounding the issue, warning that such controversies could damage the image of the Senate.
The development is widely seen as a major shift within the ruling APC towards a more open and competitive process for determining the leadership of the next Senate.
Meanwhile, the race for Senate seats ahead of the APC primaries scheduled for May 18 has intensified, with several serving and former governors reportedly eyeing positions in the Red Chamber.
Among governors linked to Senate ambitions are Babagana Zulum, Dapo Abiodun, Hope Uzodinma, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mai Mala Buni and Abdullahi Sule.
Former governors either seeking Senate seats or already serving in the chamber include Godswill Akpabio, Orji Uzor Kalu, Aminu Tambuwal and Seriake Dickson.
In a related development, former Ondo State First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has formally joined the race for the Imo East Senatorial seat under the Labour Party platform.
