An amendment to the Senate standing rules now makes only senators who have served at least two consecutive terms eligible for presiding and principal offices.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over a voice vote that resulted in the amendment’s adoption on Tuesday.
The decision coincides with rumours that former senators Ovie Omo-Agege, Hope Uzodimma, and Ifeanyi Okowa are thinking about returning to the red chamber and possibly running for Senate president in 2027.
According to the updated regulations, only senators who have served in the body continuously for at least eight years are eligible to run for Senate President and Deputy President.
The lawmakers made the amendment after a closed-door meeting that lasted about three hours. Lawmakers also revised Orders 4 and 5 to limit eligibility for leadership roles in the 11th National Assembly.
Order 4 requires strict adherence to ranking when nominating senators for presiding positions.
The ranking includes former senators with at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives, former principal officers, former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, and, where none of these are available, first-time senators.
Additionally, the Senate also created a new committee on reparations and repatriation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio then directed Emmanuel Odo to amend the standing rule
BACKSTORY…
This comes only weeks after the lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $516 million syndicated loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to fund the construction of Section 1, Phases 1A and 1B of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway.
This followed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Aliyu Wamakko, presenting a report in plenary.
The committee further suggested that the Federal Government’s borrowing strategy include the finance obtained through Deutsche Bank AG.
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