Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has criticised the proposed amendment to the Senate Standing Rules aimed at restricting first-term lawmakers from emerging as principal officers in the upper legislative chamber.

Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, specifically challenged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to “lead by example” by vacating his position if the proposed eligibility requirement is adopted.

Speaking with journalists, the senator argued that the amendment raises serious moral and democratic concerns, noting that Akpabio himself rose rapidly within the Senate despite being a first-term lawmaker at the time.

According to Oshiomhole, Akpabio became Minority Leader during his first term in the 8th Senate before eventually emerging as Senate President.

“The beauty of democracy is reflected in Section 70 of the Constitution,” Oshiomhole said. “When senators vote by saying ‘ayes’ or ‘nays’, they must take responsibility for their positions.”

He questioned what he described as attempts by some lawmakers to limit leadership opportunities within the Senate.

“I want Nigerians to ask who are those senators trying to narrow future leadership to themselves as though it were a family inheritance or traditional institution,” he stated.

Oshiomhole further maintained that Akpabio had not spent up to eight years in the Senate, even when both his previous and current tenures are combined.

“As we speak today, the Senate President has not completed eight years in office,” he said. “If a rule is introduced requiring eight consecutive years before one can become Senate President, then he should lead by example by vacating the office because he would not meet the qualification.”

The senator also warned against what he described as efforts to create laws designed to preserve political power for a select group.

“As leaders who are themselves products of existing rules, we must not make laws aimed at perpetuating ourselves in office,” Oshiomhole added.

The proposed amendment to the Senate Standing Rules has continued to generate debate within political circles, with critics arguing that it could undermine equal opportunities for leadership within the National Assembly.